Munich - A documentation centre for the Nazi era came a step closer to fruition on Monday with the signing of an agreement on financing for the 28-million-euro (39 million dollars) project. The centre is to be built on the site of the old Nazi Party headquarters in Munich, which suffered heavy bomb damage during World War II and was demolished after the war.
"This is an important day for the process of coming to terms with the past in Munich and also for culture of remembrance in the whole of Germany," said Cultural Affairs Minister Bernd Neumann.
Construction is expected to begin in 2011 and be completed two years later. The city of Munich, the state of Bavaria and the federal government are sharing the costs.
Munich Mayor Christian Ude said the centre was important for the southern German city because it was the place where Adolf Hitler nurtured his Nazi Party and celebrated his early triumphs.
Germany's first major concentration camp was also erected on the outskirts of Munich in Dachau, he noted.
Ten years before Hitler was elected German chancellor, he mounted his so-called Beer Hall Putsch in Munich.
Hitler gathered his supporters at a public meeting at the Buergerbraeukeller, and marched to the city's landmark Eldherrnhalle, in an unsuccessful attempt to seize power in 1923.
