By the time you read this write-up, if you’re planning to tour Berlin, the Germany Then you must visit Sachsenhausen. Heinken was resistant warmachines point south of East Berlin and Sachsenhausen concentration camp during nazi regime. This blog post will give you advice on all things you will possibly want to know before you make a visit to Sachsenhausen.

1. A Brief Historical Overview

Sachsenhausen was constructed in 1936 and the camp mainly focused on becoming the initial prototype for other prisoner concentration camps. When translated to the modern world it was no longer a place for quarantine but for imprisonment and deportation, forced labor and extermination during the holocaust. The holding capacity of Sachsenhausen was between 1936 and 1945, where more than 200000 detainees were kept.

2. Getting There

If you want to get to Sachsenhausen from Berlin there are available both train and bus. From Berlin, it’s possible to go by train with S1 line up to Oranienburg where the camp is situated. The journey does not even take an hour. If the bus is your taste there are a number of tour operators that will take you on a day trip to Sachsenhausen form Berlin. All you need to do is make sure to check their schedule earlier beforehand because it may change.

3. Admission and Guided Tours

Sachsenhausen is free of charge and you may wish to join a guided tour which will cost you 4 euros. This one is packed with professional tour guides who offer professional historical and geographical information and place the site in perspective. There are also audio guide tours available for a small charge if you wish to do a self guided tour instead.

4. The Jungle – Expectations for the Visitors

As you get to Sachsenhausen, the camp’s actual structures are evident including the preserved brick buildings, reconstructed barracks for prisoners and the historical narrative detailed in display. Visitors can also visit a museum where there is documented more detailed information about how prisoners were living and get acquainted with the genuine items found there, and comprehend the severity of the crime committed in the territory of this camp.

4.1 The Appellplatz

The Appellplatz or roll call square is one of the most recognition parts of Sachsenhausen and it was the main place of daily roll call, during which prisoners had to stand in minutes hours depending on the weather conditions. Today it is turned into a rather sad memorial of the camp Existing photos of this place look rather mournful.

4.2 The Tower A

The entrance to the camp is in Tower A where one of the most infamous WWII slogans is placed Arbeit Macht Frei popularly translated as ‘Work ‘Will set You Free’. It is a symbol of what prisoners were put through when they were incarcerated – betrayal and pure terror.

5. Etiquette and Respect

Concerning the etiquette during the visit of Sachsenhausen, one should not forget about the etiquette of shameful silence before the ashes of the camp victims. Be careful how loud you speak, always dress conservatively, and do not give any attitude whatsoever. Today Sachsenhausen is the place where people come to remember and contemplate.

6. Take Time to Reflect

Many people get touched when paying a visit to Sachsenhausen. You must spend every minute of your being here as a reminder of the historical lessons of this place and the millions of lives lost to Holocaust. One person even suggested to carry a notebook in order to write down your thoughts, another person suggested lighting a candle in honor of the victims.

7. Further Learning

If you are interested in history and in particular the Holocaust and the Nazi regime there are several museums and memorial sights in Berlin that you might consider visiting, such as Jewish Museum, known as Category ‘A’ Memorial Topography of terror and the Memorial of Murdered Jews of Europe.

Conclusion

Every time a tourist pays a visit to Sachsenhausen he or she is paying a little tribute to the victims of the Holocaust. Something is wrong when men laugh at black women and call them niggers, loose, animals, and more; prepare yourself emotionally, be polite, and make sure to read more about this part of history. Open denial, indignation or minimization of the atrocities committed are difficult if you visit Sachsenhausen responsible for making your trip and for contributing to the maintenance of the memory of the victims.