It seemed that concentration camps were a vital part of the second world war and Berlin was not an exception in this. In this blog you will be introduced to the topics of concentration camps, specifically in Berlin and learn some facts about this part of human history.

1. The Emergent Evolution of the Concentration Camps in Berlin

The first concentration camps in Berlin were set up by the Nazis in the early of the 1930. These camps were basically intended to house political prisoners – people who the Nazi party considered its opponents with regard to certain state policies. In Berlin the main concentration camps with death’s head rank were Oranienburg, Sachsenhausen and Ravensbrück.

From Oranienburg Concentration Camp

Oranienburg was merely outside Berlin and this was initially organized concentration camp, as well as the first one of which others emulated. Originally, it was aimed at holding and chastising political enemies of the Nazi Party. Growing in size and multifunctional over time, the camp became one of the main places of detention of the Jews, homosexuals, Gypsies and the disabled.

The Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp or Oranienburg Concentration Camp

This closely related to the next major concentration camp within the greater Berlin area; Sachsenhausen, which was located in Oranienburg. Founded during 1936, it was at first proposed for detaining and punishing political offender. Unlike other camps though, its responsibilities changed over time and the camp was later used for slaughtering, euthanization, experimentation during the holocaust. Approximately fifty thousand men and women prisoners died before Liberation in January 1945 in Sachsenhausen.

This camp was the Ravensbrück Concentration Camp.

It is Ravensbrück concentration camp that was located to the north of Germany mainly for holding women prisoners. Established in 1939 the camp grew to become one of the largest camps for women in the German Reich. The inmates comprised of political prisoners, freedom fighters, Jews, women from the occupied territories. The camp facilities in Ravensbrück were unbearable; forced labor, medical experiments, and general mistreatment. Ravensbrück held more than 130000 women and children; thousands of them perished there.

2. Significance and Remembrance

The concentration camps in Berlin are very touristic since they combine political history and the horrific activity of the Nazis. Modern day, these camps are some of the biggest tourist attractions and destination as well as relics, with a primary purpose of making sure that the world never witnesses such atrocities again. People can learn what happened to the victims and pay respect to the innocent people who were killed in the tragedy.

Some of the key concentration camp memorials in Berlin include:

Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum: This is a place dedicated now to the rememberance of the Sachsenhausen camp which offers visitor’s exhibitions, tours and an idea of how the prisoners lived.

Ravensbrück Memorial: This memorial occupies the territory of the former camp and is devoted to the women and children who perished in Ravensbrück. It comprises exhibitions, guided tours, a video documentary and a documentation centre.

Stille Helden Memorial Center: As this center claims, it is dedicated to remembering the heroic people who opposed the Nazis and those seeking to punish the persecuted.

3. Importance of Remembering

It is important to recall the experience of concentration camps in Berlin and throughout the globe to make sure the crimes performed are not going to be forgotten. In this manner, studying the processes of development of intergroup relationships contributes to the improvement of relationships in the present and the building of tolerant society.

It is for that reason that commemorating the victims and survivors also speaks to us today and calls us to resistance against hatred, discrimination, and oppression. When people go to school and visit such odd places, they will possibly understand the value of human rights.

A Tip for Visitors

For any visitor willing to tour around the concentration camp memorials in Berlin it is recommended that he or she should set ample time in order to be able to assimilate information and or interact with the memorials. Beside, some places also offer guided tours as well as audio guides that help to explain and put a lot of light into this sad story.

When we will go to these monuments, study the ordeal that the sufferers have gone through and help in narrating their tale, we are helping in upholding and eradicating the offense.