Photos
The Roll-Call Square
A vast open space where prisoners were forced to line up for roll call, often standing for hours in harsh weather conditions. This area was central to camp discipline, where punishments and executions were sometimes carried out in front of thousands.
Museum Exhibit – The Words of the Past
Inside the museum, a dimly lit room displays historical writings on the wall—documents, prisoner accounts, and official camp records. These texts provide a chilling insight into the daily horrors of life in the camp. Some writings include orders from SS officials, while others share testimonies from survivors, preserving the voices of those who endured unimaginable hardships.
Entrance Gate with the Infamous Inscription
The image shows the iron entrance gate of Sachsenhausen, bearing the phrase “Arbeit Macht Frei” (Work Sets You Free). This deceptive slogan was meant to give the illusion of purpose but instead symbolized the forced labor and suffering endured by prisoners.
The Entrance Gate and Guard Tower
The white tower, standing tall above the camp’s main entrance, served as both an observation post and a symbol of the oppressive surveillance that dominated life in Sachsenhausen. From this vantage point, guards watched over every movement within the camp, enforcing strict order. The infamous iron gate, once bearing a cynical inscription, marked the point of no return for many who entered Sachsenhausen.
The Watchtowers and Perimeter Fence
A watchtower stands ominously over the high barbed-wire fence, a constant reminder of the deadly barriers that confined prisoners. Guard posts and searchlights ensured that any escape attempt was nearly impossible.
The Washing Area – A Harsh and Degrading Routine
Two large concrete basins stand in the middle of the room, once used for prisoners to wash under strict and degrading conditions. Against the wall, small brick and cement structures remain, marking where prisoners had to endure freezing water in winter or unsanitary conditions throughout the year. This area was often a site of punishment, where guards would force prisoners to wash in freezing temperatures, leading to illness and suffering.
The Camp Infirmary and Medical Experimentation Rooms
A chilling space that once served as the camp infirmary, where prisoners were subjected to inhumane medical experiments. Sparse medical equipment and historical photographs provide insight into the suffering that took place under the guise of “scientific research.”
The Camp Latrines – A Place of Humiliation
A cold, barren space where prisoners were forced to use primitive communal latrines under constant surveillance. The large bowls in the center and the row of cemented, square-shaped pits along the wall highlight the complete lack of privacy and the inhumane conditions endured by inmates. Disease spread rapidly in these unhygienic surroundings, adding another layer of suffering to daily life.
Inside a Prisoner Barrack
A stark, dimly lit room filled with wooden bunk beds, where prisoners were crammed together in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. The worn wooden floors and bare walls serve as a haunting reminder of the suffering endured here.
The Camp Barracks
A row of reconstructed or preserved barracks, where prisoners were housed in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. Inside, the wooden bunks and sparse furnishings highlight the extreme deprivation inmates faced daily.
