If you are planning to visit Germany and have an interest in history, a trip to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial is worth considering. Situated just outside Berlin, it offers a chance to learn about the dark period of Nazi Germany and pay tribute to the victims of the Holocaust.

Overview of Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

Oranienburg’s Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp or officially Konzentrationslager Sachsenhausen in German was among the first of concentration camps built. It was situated slightly more than 22 miles or 35 kilometers to the north which means that it could be visited via a one day trip from Berlin.

Erected in 1936, Sachsenhausen was an example of many other subsequent concentration camps. Originally it was for political prisoners, scientists, artists, journalists and anyone who the Nazis considered as an enemy of state. The primary goal of the camp was to detain, torment, and kill everyone whom the leaders of the state considered a threat.

All You Need to Know About Getting to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp From Berlin

There are several ways to reach Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp from Berlin:

Public Transportation

Another way is to use the taxi and it is the most common and affordable transport system that is available. Follow these steps:

In Berlin, take S1 S-Bahn or line S25 in the traveling direction Oranienburg.

Disembark at Oranienburg Station exiting from the station.

One can take a taxi to the site or, if not averse to a 25-minute walk, stroll to the site.

To get to Oranienburg by train, you have to use the S-Bahn, and the trip will take between 40 and 45 minutes, depending on the S-Bahn line.

Guided Tours

The other possibility is to embark on of the Berlin guided tours which would offer transportation to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. Other options the tour operators provide are the accompanied ones where a guide will explain you more regarding the monuments and give you an even broader experience. You do not get to worry about how you are going to move around on your own and you get the benefits of a good guide.

If this is what you would like done, take time to survey the market for a good operator that offers great service at your desired capacity.

A Walk through Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

Taking a tour of the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp is always very touching. Memorial site has been established in order to educate people about the event in the Holocaust and to provide information about history and background of the camp. Here are some key things to expect:

Memorial Exhibitions: Take a walk through the several galleries showing the history of the camp, lives of prisoners and the period after the Second World War.

Former Camp Buildings: Proceed round the camp visiting last structures like that of the prisoners’ dormitory, the punishment chamber, and the prison hospital.

Watchtowers and Walls: Take a look at the watchtowers and what remains from the perimeter walls of the camp.

Visitor Center: To find out more about the camp’s history and its importance, you could start with the visitor center.

Memorial Sites: Visit some of the several memorials found within the camp such as the international memorial, Jewish memorial and the station Z executioner’s shelter.

Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Travel and Tourism Checklist

To ensure a meaningful and respectful visit to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, consider these tips:

Dress appropriately and wear comfortable shoes because you’ll be doing quite a bit of walking.

Accompany the visit with a plan to spend a considerable amount of time going round the site in detail. There should be enough if you have at least half a day if you would like to visit everything that is in the park comfortably.

If you are joining a guided tour, listen carefully to the guides or if you are given audio guides to help you along the tour.

Have respect for the memorial area because it is area where people still pay homage to their beloved ones.

Do not rush to read the information boards and try to grasp the historical background of the site.

Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp is one of the sites on the outskirts of Berlin with a tragic history visiting the camp will evoke strong emotions and increase knowledge regarding the holocaust or at least broaden your understanding of it. It is a reminder that intolerance and conflicts should not dominate the world in the most recent months and years.

When you come to Sachsenhausen, the graves of the victims, their anguished faces, living and speaking, drown out hatred and make this spirit disappear.