Sachsenhausen Memorial is a historical site in Oranienburg which is 22 miles, north to Berlin, Germany. Originally constructed before World War II by the Nazis in 1936 it was utilized as a concentration camp, the Soviets took over and used it as a special camp and NKVD camp until 1950. Today, it is a memorial holding and a museum, created with an aim to educate people about the mass crimes of the Nazi period.

Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp : Its History

Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp was one of the very first major concentration camps under the Nazi regime. This camp had conditions mimicking future camps and focused on political prisoners. The Konzentrationslager Sachsenhausen imprisoned more than 200,000 people during its existence and saw tens of thousands of men, women and children die from exhaustion in forced labor camps, from medical experiments, or were executed.

The Significance of Visiting Sachsenhausen

By going through the Sachsenhausen camp today, it is possible to pay tribute to people who perished in the camp and to study the processes and events of Holocaust. Besides that, it gives more and more material to think about what truly happened in the past so that the tragedies like that could never happen again.

Things You Will Come Across at Sachsenhausen Memorial

When visiting the Sachsenhausen Memorial, there are several key areas of interest to explore:

Main Entrance and Appellplatz

The one that came to the fore was the main entrance also referred to as the ‘Arbeit macht frei’ which just translates to work will make you free. Appellplatz, or roll call square: All new arrivals were lined up here by their captors for a roll call that lasted in any climate.

Exhibition Hall

The tour in the exhibition hall provides life-like depiction of how the camp was created, how people lived and even how they suffered. It uses photography, writings, as well as narratives to offer information to complement the camp’s relevance.

Prisoners’ Barracks

The quarters of prisoners are quite intact and thus the visitors get an opportunity to view the poor nature of living of the inmates. The experience of watching a documentary and touring the barracks raises a gloomy feeling that makes people bear in mind the terrible losses of the civilians.

Security Installations

Observing such thing as watchtowers, electrified fences, and guard houses that surround the camp enlightens the viewer on the security measures taken in order to mess up the prisoners.. It showcases how much the guards can control the fate of everybody that was detained in the camp.

Crematorium Punishment Cell

The existence of crematorium and punishment cell depicts the sudnary of the Nazi. Visitors have an opportunity to witness ovens where people’s bodies were incinerated and the cells where the prisoners were tortured both – physically and spiritually.

Some Do and Don’t Rules of the Sachsenhausen Memorial

Here are some helpful tips to enhance your visit to Sachsenhausen:

Allow enough time: It should take a visitor at least a few hours to visit this site and have a very good feel of the history of the place.

Take a guided tour: Another option is to attend a guided tour which makes clients understand more of the importance of the camp. Guides don’t only give out facts and history that might otherwise be overlooked.

Dress appropriately: Sachsenhausen is an open-air museum – dress for the weather and wear comfortable footwear for walking.

Respectful conduct: Sachsenhausen is a site that tells about how the events of the past can be remembered and interpreted. Be polite, avoid looking around, laughing loudly and expressing oneself, and should avoid any uncultured behavior.

Information sources: Use the available audio guide, information booklet and other printed materials to educate yourself on the importance of the memorials.

Conclusion

To this effect, people could take the time to ti even today go by and check the virulence of nazi inhumanity at Sachsenhausen Memorial in Berlin. This way, with help of the identified areas for the memorial, the visitor develops sorrow for those who perished and gets the sense of hope as well.