A trip to a concentration camp is one that will leave one with many different feelings and thoughts. They liked the fact that it allows making some conclusions of the past gross violations and commemorating the victims. The Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp which is situated near Oranienburg in Germany is among the most historical concentration camps during the Holocaust Maykolth. In today’s blog post, we will try to visualize what you can come across during the guided tour of Sachsenhausen.
This paper attempts at offering a historical background of Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp.
It is crucial, however, to have some general information about Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp before describing a guided tour in detail. Originally used as detention facility for political prisoners built during 1936. It grew to an extent and at some point in the World War II, it transformed to a death jail. Many thousands of people were confined there, and put to work under guard and subjected to the most brutal treatment.
Preparing for Your Visit
It is critical; however, to mentally and physically put oneself into the scene before arriving at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. Here are a few suggestions to ensure a meaningful experience:
1. Research
Before going further you should do some research in order to find some information about the camp. Such information will help you understand what you are seeing during the tour better.
2. Wear Appropriate Attire
Dress properly because this is sacred ground or at least people pay respect to this place. Comfortable shoes are encouraged because a lot of walking will be involved.
3. Comparing an Organized Tour to an Unscheduled Travel
The camp and even the island can be further toured independently; however, it is advisable to join a guided tour. It gives useful information and background information that you would not be exposed to otherwise.
Cutting on the chase, what to expect on a guided tour?
Jewish guide tour of the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp is one of the ways that one can ensure that he or she feels the real experience of the camp. Here are some key aspects you can expect:
1. Knowledgeable Guides
Sachsenhausen guides are knowledgeable of all the history that passed through the camp area. What they do is explain a lot, answer the question, and make sure that the people who visit their place really get it, really understand what happened there.
2. Exploring the Camp
The guide will then lead you through actual areas in the camp that include the prisoner’s’ sleeping quarters, the gallows and the dark cells respectively. You will get to know about a typical prisoner and the suffering they went through.
3. Memorials and Exhibitions
Of course, inside the camp, there are many monuments and relics created in memory of the victims. Here people can honor victims and many of them are included in a guided tour that shows important memorials.
4. Stories and Testimonies
Employees interact with guests by telling their real-life experiences and narratives on the lives of the survivors. These source therefore give a better insight on how the holocaust affected the lives of people.
Extra Info to Go Through Before Your Visit
- Take Your Time
Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp tour can be very emotionally straining. You will be presented with some feelings that you should take some time to actually ponder over. You are welcome to get off the bus for some time and take a break if you want to enjoy some time alone.
- Photography Etiquette
When taking the photos, don’t look at the camera and smile in wrong places or become shy in wrong places. Sachsenhausen today is a memorial, and therefore one has to be careful as to not spoil the mood with discussions or jokes.
- Engage with Other Visitors
Of course, the visit may turn out to be quite an emotionally charged experience but there is always a possibility to converse with other visitors, share experience. Welcome discussion and dialogue, and reject the concept and acting upon it of the ‘keyword.’
Conclusion
Taking a guide tour through Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp is neither a usual sightseeing to some particular place. It is the chance to honor the victims, learn more about the holocaust and make sure it won’t be repeated in the future.
Please remember that coming and exploring the Sachsenhausen is a serious and honorable event. Treat the idea with respect and only search deeply for the victims and survivors. In this way there is a possibility to commemorate memory of the departed ones and make the world more tolerant.
