When in Berlin and have history interest to do; you should consider visiting a concentration camp. However, it’s a somber one, but it’s important to learn about the atrocities of World War II. Sachsenhausen is one of the most easily accessed concentration camp’s near to Berlin. In this article, we’re going to walk you through the history of Sachsenhausen, and offer you all the information you’ll need to make it worth it.
Understanding Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
Nestled among Eastern German forests 35 kilometers North of Berlin, Sachenhausen was a Nazi concentration camp. Established in 1936 and initially a SS training center for the concentration camp system, it became a concentration camp itself in 1936. After that it became a place where prisoners were cruelly treated, experimented on, and massacred in mass, organized slayings.
The Significance of Sachsenhausen
Visiting the Sachenhausen site is as important for anyone trying to understand that dark period in Nazi and wehrmacht history as it is for anyone who wants to visit. The camp has been designed initially to show Nazi power and oppression, to be later used as a model for similar camps in all over Germany and occupied territories. Along with serving as direct execution mechanism, Sachsenhausen was also a ‘school of terror’ where SS officers were trained, where new policies, procedures and other camps were developed.
Visiting Sachsenhausen also marks a tribute to the victims and the learning has to come from the past. That is a reminder of the importance for human rights, tolerance and the responsibility to avoid that history repeats itself.
Planning Your Visit
Location and Accessibility
It’s easily accessible from Berlin and Sachsenhausen is conveniently located. To reach the camp, take the 30 minute train ride to Berlin’s city center and then 30 minute ride to Oranienburg from there. When you get to Oranienburg, you take a short bus ride in to the entrance of the camp. Overall, it takes an hour from Berlin total and it’s not a stretchable day long journey.
Admission and Tours
The public can visit Sachsenhausen and there is no admission charge. Yet to get most out of your visit it is highly advised to join a guided tour. Guides who know the camp’s history, how it was put together, and the stories of inmates are invaluable. You can go ahead and opt for your tours in different languages, and it will help you understand the entire content of the narrative being shared.
During peak tourist season, especially, it is important to book your tour in advance as available dates might be few. You can learn on the website of the Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum which tour schedules and how to book.
Visitor Guidelines
As the site is so sensitive, there are certain guidlines to follow to make sure that all the victims are respected and the integrity of the memorial is kept. Here are some key guidelines to keep in mind during your visit:
Behave with solemnity commensurate with the site of your penance.
Do not touch any artifacts or objects inside of the memorial.
On the other hand, respect should be shown of course on photography, but without posing or turning photography into spectacle.
Dress appropriately. As a memorial, it is suggested to dress in a modest, respectful way.
If you are at the location, behave considerately, quietly.
Keep your hands off any artifacts or objects in the memorial.
Photography is permitted but respectful, and we ask that you do not pose or create a spectacle.
Dress appropriately. It’s a memorial, so it’s best to wear respectful and modest clothes when you’re in the place.
By sticking to these rules you help keep the dignity and historical value of the memorial site.
Exploring the Memorial Site
Sachsenhausen is huge and vast, so it can be tricky to navigate without a little help or even childish google maps – as i have been using a silly thing to navigate me around today. But, while you are here, you will be able to explore the different parts of the site and learn of each part’s importance. Here are some of the key areas to explore:
Entrance and Appellplatz
The tour of Sachsenhausen begins at the main entrance where the entrance to the Appellplatz, the old military square is located. Prisoners were assembled here in this great open space for roll calls, and subject to brutal disciplinary procedures. The Appellplatz is a grim reminder to all of the dehumanisation of concentration camp inmates.
Arbeit Macht Frei Gate
When you enter the camp through the Gatehouse, you’ll see that phrase – Arbeit Macht Frei (Work Sets You Free) – etched in iron above the gate. It was a common sight at many Nazi concentration camps and has become a symbol of the Holocaust, though this cruel message.
Killing Centers and Barracks
Barracks at Sachenhausen once held thousands of prisoners living in inhumane conditions in cramped quarters. Reconstructed versions of some of these barracks allow visitors a view into how the inmates lived. You will also be able to travel through sites where large numbers of people were killed or used as subjects or experimentation, all calling out to us with the pains of the atrocities of the camp.
Special Prison and Museum Exhibitions
Special Prison, where persons counted as enemies of the state, namely political opponents, resistance fighters and homosexuals, were held. This section of the camp gives light to the repression and the torture these prisoners suffered. Museum exhibitions (adjacent to the Special Prison) provide for a more complete view of the camp’s history using artifacts, photographs and personal accounts.
Reflecting on the Experience
An emotionally challenging excusion to a concentration camp such as Sachsenhausen, can be a difficult experience. When you are done with your official visit, take the time to try and reflect on what you’ve seen and learned. What can we learn from this dark chapter of history and how we can apply it to today. This is to remember past so that we don’t repeat it and to make the world brighter with a more compassionate and inclusive world.
Therefore, I also would recommend you use your time to visit Sachsenhausen if you plan to visit Berlin. It is a cornerstone in learning about the Holocaust and the aftermath of it, and for whatever reason—it’s unforgettable—visiting it is emblazoned on your heart and is something you’ll never forget. It isn’t pleasant, and very emotional, but visiting Sachsenhausen must happen to honor the victims and make sure this black chapter in history is never forgotten.
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