Touring can be an effective way of learning about history and there is no better way of understanding the brutality of the Second World War than by touring The Berlin Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. In accordance with the above, the purpose of this blog post is to explore the story behind this place decided to give people necessary information about it and the history it has to share.
The Origins and Purpose
Ost Rosenburg Concentration Camp: Sachsenhausen concentration camp was built in June, 1936 as one of the first permanent concentration camp by the Nazis in Europe. Just outside Berlin, it was initially used mainly as a prison for political dissidents, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals and any others the Nazis considered ‘undesirable’.
Mobility was a strength of the camp given its access to the capital and hence movement of prisoners was quite easy. Sachsenhausen was later used to exhibit the model of constructing and laying down other concentration camps.
Life in the Camp
Sachsenhausen was not a pleasant place to be, to put it mildly. Former prisoners also reported that the overcrowded and poorly nourished prisoners were subjected to unhuman treatment. It meant slavery; they were forced to work under conditions that required them to do hard work until their bodies could no longer handle it and they died.
The camp also provided provocative participates involving medical experiments carried out on the inmates, which drew both, ruthlessness and barbarism of the nazi regime. For a visitor, comprehending such factors is not easy but rather heart-wrenching; however, they are important to comprehend the importance of the site.
The Liberation and Post War Period
Sachsenhausen was liberated by the Soviet Army in April of 1945. To this day, after the liberation the camp was used by the Soviet power as a special detention camp NKVD Special Camp No. 7 until 1950.
Since the withdrawal of the Soviets the site was turned into a memorial and a museum where the visitors saw and heard about the events during the holocaust and understand that the evil should never come back.
The Experience of a Berlin Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial
Getting There
Sachsenhausen is located conveniently well connected by transport means from Berlin city central business district. One can use regional train (RE1) and get alight at Oranienburg Station, and board a local bus to get to the site.
Guided Tours and Facilities
Guided tours are available on the site for anyone who wants to get acquainted with the history of the camp. These highlighted areas can be recommended as in guided tours, experienced tour gides are able to provide a lot of information and address questions.
At present, it consists of a museum center, exhibition, building complex and a vast open air showcasing replicas of some structures and the original shacks built in the area. The exhibitions give detailed information in form of photographs, documents and testimony of the victims.
Remembering the Victims
Of course, when one pays a visit to Sachsenhausen, it is important to bow in honor of the many suffers and the lost souls of the concentration camp. Note that it is purely a memorial place that is why you have to be more precisely in terms of your behaviour.
The Importance of Remembering
Recalling past enables one to learn about the genocide, and the abuse of human rights during the world war II. At Berlin Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, it is our way of also remembering those who have been killed and making sure that their struggles were not in vain.
This is the reason why the lesson of this nightmare chapter of history must be recognized. By looking back at history, then attempting to build a more tolerant future for all, we should fight hard for and defend the liberties and rights that should be present in any society.
Therefore, regardless of whether you have an interest in history or need to gain more knowledge about several significant moments in people’s history, a visit to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp is the activity which cannot be forgotten.
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