However, when it comes to learning about the significance of concentration camps during the World War II, nothing compels us better than digging up their geographical locations. One question that often arises is: where was the closest to Berlin concentration camp? In Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp let’s check it out closer.
The Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
Another, just east of Berlin, the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, was the nearest major concentration camp. It was designed to be a model camp aimed at demonstrating Nazi Germany’s power and ideology, one built in 1936. It was also the administrative centre of other camps and was used as a training ground for SS officers.
Location
Sachsenhausen, about 35 kilometers (22 miles) north of Berlin, benefits from itserves as a convenient destination from Berlin. The proximity from within the camp also gave the Nazi regime the convenient ability of controlling, keeping surveillance on day to day camp activities.
Operation and Prisoners
The prisoners who came to Sachsenhausen had been drawn from all walks of life, political opponents, Polish and Soviet POWs. At war’s end it held more than 200,000 prisoners, most of whom fared worse than death in the form of extreme cruelty, forced labor and medical experiments.
Conditions and Daily Life
Sachsenhausen was brutal, life in the camp was brutal physical labor, malnourishment and constant beatings. There were several subcamps spread over the camp, each of them targeting certain groups of prisoners: Jews, homosexuals and Jehovah’s Witnesses. Sanitation was very poor and many diseases swept through quickly.
Visiting Sachsenhausen Today
Today, the museum and memorial of this time is given as Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, which the visitors can learn about the atrocities committed by Nazis during the Holocaust. This is a reminder to remember and acknowledge this dark history.
Getting to Sachsenhausen
Visiting Sachsenhausen from Berlin is relatively straightforward:
From Berlin take the S1 train to Oranienburg.
The memorial site is a short walk of about 20 minutes from Oranienburg train station. For those who don’t want to walk there are buses or taxis available.
The Memorial Site
Upon arriving at the Sachsenhausen Memorial, visitors will find:
Exhibitions in the visitor center offering detailed informations on the history of the camp and on the general quality of the Holocaust.
Camp grounds, preserved in the same way as they were when operating, featuring prisoner barracks, guard towers and the infamous “Arbeit Macht Frei” gate.
Visitors are invited into a memorial hall to pay their respects to the victims, and if that’s not enough to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to suffer in these walls.
Guided Tours and Information
An excellent suggestion is to use the guided tours offered at the memorial. In addition to guiding to History, Value, Landscape, knowledgeable guides provide valuable personal stories, insights and answer questions to further enhance the visitors experience. Additionally, the visitor center offers audio guided tours, and materials written in multiple languages.
Conclusion
Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp stands as a sobering reminder of the atrocities committed by the Nazis during World War II. Its proximity to Berlin makes it an essential site to visit for those interested in understanding the history of the Holocaust. By visiting Sachsenhausen, we honor the victims, educate ourselves, and strive to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.
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