Visiting historical sites is an important way to remember the past and educate ourselves about the atrocities committed during World War II. Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, located in Oranienburg, Germany, is one such site. If you are interested in visiting this significant memorial, this guide will provide you with all the essential information you need.
1. Getting to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
Before planning your visit, first decide how you are going to get to Sachsenhausen. Here are a few common options:
By Train
If you are in Berlin, taking a train is one of the easiest ways to reach Sachsenhausen. From Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Central Station), take the S1 regional train towards Oranienburg. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes, and once you arrive in Oranienburg, you can either walk or take a bus to the memorial site.
By Bus
You can also take a bus directly from Berlin to Sachsenhausen. Look for buses heading to Oranienburg and check for stops near the memorial site.
By Car
If you prefer to drive, Sachsenhausen is located about 35 kilometers north of Berlin. Take the A111 Autobahn towards Hamburg and exit at Oranienburg. Follow the signs to the memorial site.
2. Important Information to Know
Before you head to Sachsenhausen, here are a few essential details to keep in mind:
Opening Hours
The memorial site is operating daily except for the Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Visiting hours of the center may be different depending on the seasons, so it is better to define current and actual information on it on the Internet page of the centre.
Guided Tours
As you will discover, it is possible to navigate through Sachsenhausen without a guided tour but it can add value to your trip. Tours are available that give background and details of the camp, which are well worth taking prior to a visit.
Tourism Office, Reception for Exhibitions
One must ensure that he or she pays a visit to the visitor center and look at the different displayed pieces. They can be rich in details as to the history of the camp, its prisoners and the Nazi period in general.
- What to Expect When You Visit
When you get to Sachsenhausen, you should brace for a serene but very touching experience. Here are some tips to make the most of your visit:
Allow Enough Time
The visit of the memorial site calls for approximately, three to four hours of the total available time. There are many buildings, monuments and exhibitions, so be prepared to spend enough time in order to get familiar with history.
Dress Appropriately
Do not forget that you are visiting Sachsenhausen as a Memorial. It is also important to dress decently this will show some respect as you will be walking around a lot.
Take Moments for Reflection
While going round the camp spending some time to contemplate is important. Visiting Sachsenhausen is a rather mournful experience, so it can be helpful to spend some minutes or even hours to reflect over what has been felt.
Bring Water and Snacks
Sachsenhausen does offer places such as cafes, restaurants, shops, etc, but it is perhaps wise to carry along a bottle of water and maybe a snack in case one will be many hours exploring the place. This way, you will be fresh, having some snacks and enough water to accompany you throughout the day while visiting everything.
- Remembering the Past
It is encased to visit Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp so as is witness the brutalities of the Second World War. Among these functions, it is to help mourn and give homage to the deceased and to teach people a lesson from history.
Always do that with respect and do not have any prejudice, and to pay a tribute to the victims who perished in Sachsenhausen.
