Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Stasi Prison Complex Museum, Lichtenberg, Berlin, Germany

• Pre-World War II
The Hohenschönhausen area was largely industrial prior to World War II. The area later occupied by the main prison building housed a cafeteria for the National Socialist People's Welfare organization. That red-brick building was completed in 1939.
• Special Camp No. 3
In June 1945, at the conclusion of World War II, the Soviet Secret Police took over the Hohenschönhausen area of Lichtenberg and transformed it into a detainment and transit camp, called Special Camp No. 3. The camp served as both a prison and transfer point. Over 20,000 people passed through Special Camp No. 3 on their way to other Soviet camps, including one at the former Nazi concentration camp at Sachsenhausen