If you are planning a trip to Berlin and have an interest in understanding the dark history of the city, a Sachsenhausen Tour is an essential experience. Sachsenhausen, located just outside Berlin, was one of the first concentration camps established by the Nazi regime. This blog post aims to shed light on the significance of Sachsenhausen Tour in Berlin for understanding concentration camps.

The History of Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

Sachsenhausen concentration camp was inaugurated in 1936 by Heinrich Himmler, an official of the S.S. It was also used as the center where other camps were modeled and where SS-Truppen trained to operate in Germany and the occupied territories. While it was in operation it is believed that more than 200000 people passed through Sachsenhausen, of which thousands were killed.

Life Inside Sachsenhausen

Sachsenhausen was a very cruel place and conditions there were unthinkable. People incarcerated in the camp were forced to work and starve, being used as objects for medical experiments, and treated with physical violence. The camp also had several sub-sections, and there were a concentration camp, a death camp that escorted thousands of people to death.

Why Visit Sachsenhausen

Touring Sachsenhausen also becomes a kind of historical informative trip. They can easily find how barbaric the Nazi’s were during their reign of terror during the Second World War. If one reads this history, they get acquainted with the sufferings of the Holocaust and agony faced by the victims. It also reminds people not to allow itself ever to happen in the future.

The information you can get on the tour of Sachsenhausen

Sachsenhausen Tour normally takes approximately 4 hours and could be Done either in an organized or on Private Basis. Here are some aspects you can expect to encounter during your visit:

• The Main Gate: Konzentrationslager, concentration camp, introduced to the world by the wrought-iron gate which reads, “Arbeit Macht Frei” work liberates from work.
• The Appellplatz: The roll-call square where prisoners were kept standing for long hours and in any weather they found themselves in.
• Prisoner Barracks: Take a step to visit the particular place of the barracks to understand how they were forced to live.
• The Infirmary: They should also visit the infirmary where different poisonous concoctions were tested on Prisoners.
• The Crematorium: See the depressing remains of the crematorium in which the corpses of the victims were disposed of.

Sachsenhausen – Important Steps To Take In Preparation For Your Tour

In my case, I thought of some vital question and answers which could help me mentally prepare for the Sachsenhausen Tour. Here are a few tips to ensure a meaningful visit:

• Read up on the History: It is important to start to get informed about the background of the concentration camp and things like holocaust.
• Dress Appropriately: This tour is quite physical, so make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes and dress weather appropriately since half of this tour is going to be outdoors.
• Show Respect: Avoid being jovial or even too excited when visiting the site of a disaster because it is in honor of the dead.
• Consider a Guided Tour: If you choose to go with a guiding tour you will be able to get more details and explanations to make sense of everything you see.

Conclusion

A Sachsenhausen Tour in Berlin offers a sobering and educational experience, allowing visitors to learn about the atrocities of the concentration camp system. By understanding this dark chapter of history, we can strive for a more tolerant and inclusive world. Remember to approach the tour with sensitivity and empathy, paying tribute to the victims and ensuring their stories are never forgotten.