The history of Germany during the war is a bitter reminder of things that took place during the Second World War. Such concentration camps can be visited to learn, to honor the victims and make sure that such things are not conducted again. This blog post will help you atop concentration camps near Berlin that you can visit to learn more about this dark epoch in human history.
Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
Located a few miles away from Berlin, Sachsenhausen was one of the initial and the largest concentration camps of the Nazi. It functioned from 1936 through 1945, although it was liberated in 1945. Today, it works as a place commemorating the events and showing visitors the real feeling to comprehend what took place.
As soon as one is able to access Sachsenhausen he or she immediately gets to see the infamous ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ gate, a very horrible sight to the see. Visiting the territory, one will see the barracks and watchtowers with the dungeons where prisoners were exposed to torture.
If possible do also drop by at the museum in-site which gives historical background of the camp, the everyday live of the prisoners and of the SS-Officer who ran the camp. There are set tour guides, but the camp can be walked around generally.
Sachsenhausen Infomercials
- Forums and walking tours mean a lot of walking so wear comfortable shoes.
- It is advisable to carry along water and small snacks as inside the camp there are little services offered.
- As a result there is no laughing, loud talking or taking self-portrait photos as this is a solemn environment.
This page provides general visitor tips for Sachsenhausen.
Comfortable shoes should be worn as the landscapes covered by this process require movement on foot.
Take along water and food because there is very little supply within the camp.
It is permissible to take photographs of the tombs but it is advised not to do that and other noisy activities or jokes in the tombs.
In Ravensbrück Concentration Camp
About 80 km away from the capital of Germany, Ravensbrück is considered one of the largest camps that prisoners of the feminine sex during the Holocaust. It remains the tragic monument of the violence towards women, which was characteristic of that period.
Of course, inside the camp, you will be able to observe remnants of barracks, guards’ towers, and the crematorium. The testimony of the prisoners and their experience during the genocide is depicted by a memorial museum. It also goes on to outline the contending force that was developed in the camp as well.
Check out the Ravensbrück site’s guided tour but you can otherwise self-guide yourself around the site. For instance, when you are moving around the identified camps, it is good to close your eyes and think of those women who faced a lot of hardships.
Visitor Tips for Ravensbrück
- The opening times used may be different and therefore it is recommended to first confirm the opening times.
- It is recommended to take the tour of the camp to get more information about its history.
- You find ourselves visiting the great memorial sites and it is important that at this point one should bow down in honor of the victims.
Oranienburg: concentration camp known as Klink-Schmachtenhöchen.
Situated in Oranienburg, some twenty-five miles northeast of Berlin, this camp is one of the earliest the Nazis built. YURI is originally supposed to be a prison for political criminals but was later on converted into a training ground of SS officers. At present it is popular as an important site of historical remembrance.
Walking around the territory of Oranienburg, a visitor is free to visit different exhibitions that are dedicated to the destiny of the prisoners and the conditions in which they had to stay. The visitor center has elaborate details on the camp, its history and its association with other concentration camps in the Nazis regime.
A monument that has been erected serves people as a vivid example of the camp functioning. The process of the ceremony is characterized by strict silence and people can focus on the memories of the dear ones.
Visitor Tips for Oranienburg
- They should make time read the stories and the experiences of individuals who once suffered in the camp.
- You will need to book in advance as they might not allow certain activities at certain periods.
- If you would like to know the specific details of the events and historical importance of the site it may be more prudent to attend a guided tour.
Conclusion
Seeing the concentration camps located near Berlin opens up a highly educational experience. There are many concentration camps to visit but some of them are Sachsenhausen, Ravensbrück and Oranienburg so that one might be able to get the real pictures of the coeffending during the Second World War.
It is important to respect these sites bearing in mind they areessages telling stories of innocent people who were killed. They must be taught so as not to let the same thing happen in the future again and again.
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