Introduction

Sachsenhausen concentration camp is just outside the city of Berlin in Germany and it is a powerful reminder of some of the darkest days in human history. Here, this historic site allows visiting to teach, remember, reflect. In this article we’ll go through how to get to Sachsenhausen, and what you can see and do while you’re there.

1. Understanding Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

Its origins are in a concentration camp set up by the Nazis during World War II. In the 1930s and 1940s it held more than 200,000 inmates — including political prisoners, Jews and prisoners of war. Today the camp is a museum and memorial with informative lessons on what happened during the Holocaust.

1.1 Why Visit Sachsenhausen?

By visiting Sachsenhausen, you have the chance to honor the victims, learn more about the history of this tragic period and make a contribution to marking the lives taken in all of this. When you visit, you can become fully engaged in this kind of Holocaust education, and commit to never forgetting such atrocities.

1.2 The Importance of Holocaust Remembrance

The symbolic site of Holocaust remembrance is the camp of Sachsenhausen. Learning what happened here leaves you able to participate with others in fighting against anti-Semitism, discrimination, and genocide. Preventing history from repeating itself is education’s key.

2. Planning Your Visit

Before making your journey to Sachsenhausen, it’s important to plan accordingly:

2.1 Choosing the Right Time

Sachsenhausen is open all year and it’s wise to visit out of peak season to avoid crowds. Weekends are busier than weekdays.

2.2 Check the Opening Hours

The hours at Sachenhausen are different by season so make sure to check with the official website in regards to what is open and what is not. To have plenty of time for reflection and exploration, so it’s best to arrive early in the day.

2.Guided Tours vs. Independent Exploration of 3

But joining a guided tour is recommended as it adds context from the past, personal stories and expert knowledge. There also is an opportunity to ask questions and get information from knowledgeable guides while on guided tours.

3. Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp: How to Get There

Situated approximately 22 miles (35 kilometers) north of Berlin, here are several transportation options to reach Sachsenhausen:

3.1 By Train

You could reach Sachsenhausen by train from Berlin. The S-Bahn suburban train (S1 line or regional) from Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) to Oranienburg station. It requires on average 30-40 minutes journey.

3.2 By Bus

There is also a bus that will take you from Oranienburg train station to the Sachsenhausen Memorial if you’d rather take the bus. The train station is very convenient to the bus stop.

4. Exploring the Memorials

When you arrive at Sachsenhausen you will be entering a very emotional and thought provoking visit. Here are some key areas to explore:

4.1 The Main Gate and Tower A

The watchtower, Tower A, is passed through the famed wrought iron gate with the cynical phrase “Arbeit macht frei” (“Work sets you free”) emblazoned there, and then visitors enter. The prisoners lost their freedom and these powerful symbols are symbols of that.

4.2 The Prisoner’s Camp

Take a walk through the rest of the barracks and reconstructed buildings to get a better idea of what prisoner’s daily lives were like. Exhibitions on personal stories, artifacts and historical accounts are housed in each barrack.

4.3 The punishment cells

Visit the punishment cells where prisoners were subjected to the greatest cruelty and terrible abuse. This is the darkest part of human suffering present.

4.4 The Path of the Prisoners

See the visualisation of the grueling forced marches by the prisoners following the “Path of the Prisoners.” Along this path are many execution sites and mass graves.

5. Reflecting on Your Visit

After your visit to Sachsenhausen, take the time to reflect on the experience and honor the victims:

5.1 Memorials of Services

Memorial services to commemorate the suffering and death are held here regularly. Paying your respects and showing solidarity is something you can do at these services.

5.2 Share Your Experience

Tell your story and spread awareness — share your story to friends, family, and on social media. Help the other people to visit and learn this important historical site.

5.Support for Holocaust Education and Charities, 3

If you can support organisations that educate about the Holocaust and preserves memorial sites, such as the Sachsenhausen Memorial Foundation, for example.

Conclusion

Visiting Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp is an engaging experience connecting with history, remembering it and preparing the future generation. If you understand the importance of this site sharing also helps to make sure that the horrors of the past are never forgotten. Visit the plan, travel the trip and pay your respect to the dead who died in these walls.