The Harrisburg Holocaust Memorial, erected in 1994, is one of the most notable structures in the city. Visit the memorial to reflect on this dark period of history and explore the surrounding park.
Enjoy the memorial’s scenic location, on the banks of the Susquehanna River surrounded by Riverfront Park. Visit the park in the early morning for a quiet, somber experience and return in the afternoon to watch the sun go down over the river.
The memorial was instigated by a group of local Holocaust survivors from the Jewish Community Center of Harrisburg. It is the work of lauded Israeli contemporary artist and sculptor David Ascalon.
Admire the memorial’s bold shape, with a stainless steel central core encircled by rusted barbed wire. The barbed wire represents the fences of the concentration camps where many Jewish people were incarcerated. Walk around the black granite base, shaped like the Star of David, to read the inscriptions dedicated to those who lost their lives.
Snap photographs of the 15-foot (4.5-meter) structure with the sprawling Susquehanna River in the background. At sunset, the river is lit up by the fading sun, which casts beautiful reflections on the stainless steel sculpture. A major refurbishment of the structure in 2011 has ensured it remains in pristine condition.
Visit the memorial during April or May to witness the moving Yom Hashoah service. On this day, Jewish communities around the world come together to remember the atrocities of the Holocaust and pay their respects to the 6 million people who lost their lives.
Reach the Holocaust Memorial from central Harrisburg on foot or by bus. Free parking is available in the area. There is no fee to view the memorial, which is accessible every day of the year.
