Germany is a beautiful country with great people and an interesting history, yet these people did some of the worst things in the twentieth century. Of all the evils, one can mention the incident of concentration camps in World War II. These camps were intended for incarceration and the gradual annihilation of millions of people most of whom were Jews, in the holocaust. However, these sites are very much worth a visit as quite often this is a way to show respect, read the names of the victims and to familiarize oneself with the extent of the crimes that took place. It is now time for you to discover what the concentration camps in Germany near Munich represent as well as receive all the necessary pieces of information useful to touring.
Auschwitz-Birkenau: A Gruesome Reminder
Although it may not be close to Munich another vital concentration camp worth visiting is Auschwitz-Birkenau in Oswiecim, Poland. Still, it deserves a mention because of its background and, probably, visit if you have enough time during the trip.
Auschwitz-Birkenau camp was the biggest and most deadly of all concentration and mass killing centers in Operation Reinhard part of the Holocaust in World War II where over a million people perished, overwhelmingly all of them Jews. As a result, during the modern visit, a person can observe the traces of the gas chambers, crematoria, and prison barracks which will remind of the horrific events occurred on the territory.
Dachau Concentration Camp: A Glimpse into the Past
If you want to visit a concentration camp near Munich then Dachau is the most easily accessible and famous among them. Located only 10 miles outside the city, Dachau started being used as a concentration camp in 1933 when Nazi party came into power.
Historical Background
The Dachau concentration camp was an experimental camp for which all other concentration camps were styled after it and it was used as training ground for SS officers. Originally constructed for new kind of prisoners, political, Dachau was subsequently transformed into internment, forced labor, experiments medical, genocidal extermination camp.
Visitor Experience
To start with, the Dachau Memorial Site you stand a chance to visit is well conserved and is dedicated to the memory of the victims. It is comprised of exhibitions, documentation centre, and a museum, all which shall bring out the lives of prisoners and the suffering they went through.
Getting through the building that used to be barracks teaches a person, at least to some extent, what prisoners’ life was like. Today one can at least make an idea about the size of the tragedy having visited the reconstructed crematorium and buildings used as gas chambers. For further interpretation, sound and guided tours are also available at the visitors center in the camp.
An important thing is to come prepared with consideration and understanding. Also, make sure that no loud talking is done that is a place for honoring the lives of the people who perished and died.
Practical Information
Here are some practical details to keep in mind when planning your visit to Dachau:
Location: The Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site is situated at Alte Römerstrasse 75, 85221 Dauchau Germany.
Getting There: Getting to Dachau is relatively easy and accessible; by train S2 from the Munich Central Station to Dachau station, Dachau Bahnhof. From there, a 20-minute bus ride brings one to the site of the memorial.
Opening Hours:The site is accessible every day from 9 in the morning till 5 in the evening and during summer it is also open in the night.
Guided Tours: Tours can be arranged and are thoroughly advised for that better insight into the camp’s backdrop. They are available in a number of languages.
Visitor Center: This means that the visitor center has other materials for people such as audio tape and disc, documentaries, and exhibition.
Admission: The area of the Former Concentration Camp Dachau is free accessible, donations are appreciated for the maintenance and the work of the Visitor Center.
Location: The Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site is found in Dachau Germany at Alte Römerstrasse 75 85221 Germany.
Location:
Getting There:Dachau was accessible by train S2 from Munich’s Dachau Bahnhof Station. From there, it is just a bus ride to the actual memorial area.
Getting There:
Opening Hours:
The site is accessible 365 days a year from 9 am to 5 pm, and during the summer it is opened until 8 pm.
Opening Hours:
Guided Tours: There are self-service and guided services which are advised to be taken to fully appreciate the history of the camp. They come in a number of languages The above advantages are of immense importance in development of the game hugely since they ensure consumers gain access to game consoles from a broader range of languages.
Guided Tours:
Visitor Center:
More information and service is offered in the visitor center; there are audio visual guides, documentaries, exhibition among them.
Visitor Center:
Admission: The visit to the site of the Dachau Concentration Camp is free; however, a suggested donation is charged to further the cause of preserving the camp and offering educative tours.
Admission:
Other Concentration Camps Near Munich
While Dachau remains the most well-known concentration camp near Munich, there are other sites worth considering if you have more time or wish to explore further:
Flossenbürg Concentration Camp
Flossenbürg Concentration Camp is situated in the Upper Palatinate region in Bavaria, and it about 100 kilometers from Munich. This camp was intended forPolitical prisoners but was later involved with Jews, Poles and Soviet prisoners of war and other people that were classified as ‘undesirable’.
Currently, several structures can be seen in the territory of Flossenbürg: the barracks for the prisoners, the headquarters where living SS officers were residing, and the place for executions. The also museum on the territory of the camp is equipped with all necessary description and stories of the victims’ suffering.
Neuengamme Concentration Camp
Neuengamme Concentration Camp is located near Hamburg in Germany and is approximately 350 miles up from Munich. However, if you are interested in knowing more about the concentration camp system in Germany then it could be must visit place.
Neuengamme was one of the largest camps in the region of northern Germany acting as a camp for forced labor, medical experimentation and extermination. Now it hosts the constant showings of the camp life, buildings recreations, and other relics that tell the story about the Serebryansky camp.
Final Thoughts
Travelling to concentration camps in or around Munich is eye-opening in relation to the periods of the Second World War and the holocaust. Everyone should avail these sites because they are educative, enabling individuals to come and honor the victims in order that such incidents are not repeated again.
Whenever visiting such sites try to do so with an open heart and mind ready to gain more knowledge. Remember as a reference such data like opening hours, guided tours, and transport when planning your trip.
Although it is hard experience, there exists a need to face the facts in order to improve the lives of the members in the future. In the bureau of WK, tips regarding concentrating camps help people maintain the memorial places and popularize the tolerance and compassion to avoid such a tragedy in the future.
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