Historical Technical Museum Peenemünde

The Peenemünde Military Test Site was one of the most modern technological facilities in the world in the years between 1936 and 1945. The first launch of a missile into space took place here in October 1942. In the nearby air force testing area, rocket engineers tested numerous flight objects equipped with revolutionary technology. From the start this research was directed toward one goal only: achieving military superiority through advanced technology.
Slave laborers, concentration camp inmates and prisoners of war provided the work that enabled the construction of the test sites and the later serial production of the rockets, which the Nazi propaganda referred to as "Vergeltungswaffe 2" (or "Vengeance Weapon 2"), in so short a period of time. Both the inhumane labor conditions and the attacks on Belgian, British and French cities using the supposed "wonder weapon" claimed thousands of lives.
The ambivalent nature of technological progress is uniquely reflected in the story of Peenemünde.
The collision of science and technology exemplified by the complex, together with an account of the historical development of rocketry are the main focus of the exhibition of the Peenemünde Historical Technical Museum.
It is housed in the power station of the former Army Testing Site - the largest technical monument in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. In addition the museum serves as an international meeting place and cultural venue. In 2002 the museum was awarded the Coventry Cross of Nails for its efforts toward reconciliation and world peace.
www.peenemuende.de