Travelling to a concentration camp near Berlin is an eye opener to the darker side of history but a trip worth undertaking in order to learn from the past. In this article you are to discover the importance of concentration camps, learn about the ones near Berlin and read through a few guidelines on how to get the most out of your experience without offending the victims.
Learning about Concentration Camps
Concentration camp became a key part of Nazi Germany genocidal plan during the Second World War. These camps were used for imprisoning millions of people and using them for business, and killing them, mostly targeted according to their nationality, political leaning, or religion.
By visiting the concentration camp you have an opportunity to see with your own eyes how people looked like living in such terrible circumstances and get more insights at the extent people endured during the troubled period in history.
Selecting a Concentration Camp Close to Berlin
There are several choices that tourists have when trying to choose from the concentration camps in and around Berlin. Here are two popular choices:
Sachsenhausen is a filled concentration camp with a terrible history of torture during World War II.
Sachsenhausen is about twenty-five kilometers north of Berlin and was one of the first and also among the largest KZ of the Nazis. It also operated as a prototype of the other similar established camps and a training center for the SS officers. Today it is a memorial and museum where people can receive necessary information on the subject as an educational benefit.
Some of the great things to see and do at Sachsenhausen are, the reconstructed barracks the punishment cells, and moving exhibitions. As with any photo series, certain zones of the camp may be psychologically provocative, therefore what is being offered is a somber and contemplative travel.
Ravensbrück concentration camp
Found approximately 90 km north of Berlin, Ravensbrück was the only camp of immense size created specifically for women. It inmates were female prisoners from various parts of the world and its background gives an insight into how Female prisoners particularly during this period suffered and were detained.
When you get to Ravensbrück you are able to physically tour the camp grounds, view the memorial and be informed on the strength and spirit shown by the women in the concentration camp. Some of the prisoners’ belongings sunk to the bottom, while others were frozen in ice to minimize water damage; this exhibit gives the visitors an experience of the life of the prisoners during the holocaust.
Tips for a Meaningful Visit
Research and Prepare
To get better results during the visit make sure to carry out enough research about the selected concentration camp. Borrow books, documentaries and other sources and ensure you get to know something about the history of the camp. It will help you build up the necessary background knowledge that will help you capitalize on your visit.
Respectful Behavior
When touring a concentration camp, one should adopt the right attitude all round. As much as this is a tourist attraction, always ensure that it is a place where you pay homage to those that lost their lives. Minimize noise, no taking pictures, and avoid wearing provocative clothes. All these efforts enhance the creation of dignity and earnestness in the environment.
Take a Guided Tour
It is recommended to take a guided tour in order to grasp more about camp’s history and importance. You get an opportunity to learn from experts when hiking since the tour guides come with some extra information about the trail and can easily explain or respond to whatever question that you might have elaborated the discussion. It may happen that you are to listen and ask questions during the tour so be polite.
Allow Time for Reflection
A visit of a concentration camp can be problematic. It is recommended that you take some time after your tour to come up with your feelings and also pay your respect to the victims. It can be suggested to go to the nearby memorial or places where it could be calm and quiet for a moment.
Conclusion
It is important for a person to read this work offered to him as a result of visiting a concentration camp near Berlin as an obligation and as a kind of tribute to the victims to pass a historical warning. If you plan your visit with the right mindset of how to be receptive, understand the other person and that you want to learn something, then you are in a position to get information that will make sure that such acts are not repeated again.
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