The crypt diplays reconstructions of the memorial cycle by Josef Glahé , first shown in in 1950, and incorporates
Expressionist motifs depicting the horrors of war | M. Groppe, 2010, Kreismuseum Wewelsburg
intuitively for such fixed points and a genuine become a magnet for right-wing extremists and
visit to an “authentic” historical site is perceived right-wing esoterics who wish to visit Wewelsburg
as being unique. The past becomes both tangible due to its importance as a central meeting place
and perceivable at these “original” locations. The of the SS. Numerous legends and myths are linked
historical site of Wewelsburg, circumscribed by the to the castle complex as a “sacred” fortress or
totalitarianism and territory of the SS, is therefore supposedly secret place of worship. The North Tower
more strongly integrated than before into both the therefore needed a special design to prevent any
exhibition design and its didactic communication. possible element of fascination in connection with
this dominant architecture. In the “Crypt”, which
The new exhibition was intentionally installed in the had been converted by the SS into an enormous
underground levels of the listed, former SS guard Greek domed hall, reconstructions of the memorial
building on the forecourt of Wewelsburg Castle as cycle of the artist Josef Glahé are displayed, first
this is where the architectural traces of the SS project shown in the crypt in 1950 and incorporating
are particularly prominent. Architecturally-related Expressionist motifs depicting the horrors of war. In
panels explain the history of this location in the this way the formerly solemn and highly mythical
exhibition. Along the castle, outdoor columns in the atmosphere is modified. The SS Obergruppenführer
castle’s moat reference the structural modifications Hall is equipped with colourful bean bags to break
carried out by the SS. Visitors reach the North Tower up the focus of the architecture from the sunwheel
along this route with its “SS Obergruppenführer mosaic centrally embedded in the floor. The visitors,
Hall” and the “Crypt”. These are two rooms that sinking into the beanbags, adopt an unfamiliar
were architecturally remodelled by the SS but never posture and experience new perspectives. Since the
put to use. They remained unharmed at the end 1990s this specific sunwheel motif has been referred
of the war although the SS carried out extensive to as the “Black Sun” and functions in right-wing
detonations. Since the 1990s they have increasingly esoteric milieus and extremely right-wing political
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