There is a forgotten, even shameful episode, which can be explored in the history of World War II to this day. Located near Berlin, Germany, a former Nazi concentration camp called Sachsenhausen provides the visitors with some insight into the atrocities of the holocaust. In this article, we will be a closer look at the tragic history of Sachsenhausen and learn why its preservation is important as to commemorate the victims as well as to make the world remember the dreadful scenarios of human history.

1. The Origins of Sachsenhausen

Sachsenhausen or Oranienburg concentration camp was one of the oldest Concentration camp that was started in 1936. Initially conceived as an apparatus to detain and re-educate political rivals, it turned into a death for practically all sorts of prisoners of all types; Jewish people, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the Romani people.

Located in the outskirts of Berlin meant that the Nazis could easily capture anybody that came around the facility for horrendous experiments, forced labor, as well as mass shootings and gassings. KZ Sachsenhausen was later used as the model for all the subsequent concentration camps, its layout and working being applied to the other more famous camps such as Aushwitz and Dachau.

2. Daily Life in Sachsenhausen

There was no human dignity left in the camp known as Sachsenhausen. A lot of prisoners were taken through physical and psychological abuse, hunger, sickness, and substandard living conditions. The SS guards forced them to do strenuous physical work in different sectors, including, workshops, brick-making sites and an underground forgery of currency notes.

Torture was also applied to the prisoners medical experiments on how long human beings can withstand pain. The so called ‘standing cells’ were small cells meant for punishment with no space to sleep, sit or recline for several days with little or no light.

2.1 Prisoner Categories

The prisoners in Sachsenhausen were divided into different categories, each marked by specific colored triangles sewn onto their uniforms:

Political opponents: Red triangles

Homosexuals: Pink triangles

Jehovah’s Witnesses: Purple triangles

Jews: Yellow triangles

Roma people: Brown triangles

3. Liberation and Remembrance

Sachsenhausen was liberated by the Soviet forces in April 1945 and this stopped the suffering of prisoners in the camp. But the cases of its history are burned in the stonework of the building, in the stories, and in the memories which are present today.

Nowadays, Sachsenhausen is an important memorial and museum, and a person is able to learn the scale of crimes committed by Nazis. It reminds that people should never forget millions of lives and importance of making future generations learn about hatred and intolerance.

3.1 Visiting Sachsenhausen

For those desiring to experience Sachsenhausen it is paramount to be polite and sensitive to the fact that they are on a concentration camp. Guided tour, have a chance to listen to the stories from the survivors and to honor the victims by knowing the history of those walls.

Please bear this in mind as these places may be quite emotionally charged. In working through the theme we need to remember about the past and give tribute to those who suffered, fight for non-prejudice world.

4. The Importance of Remembering

Recalling the history of the Sachsenhausen concentration camp and studying it, we defend the victims and survivors’ memory. As citizens of the world, it is incumbent upon us to ensure that the scars of history’s villains never fade so that mankind will not make same mistakes again.

To recall the past effectively will go a long way in transforming the future. We want people to remember and learn in order to inspire them to care and turn away from the recurring hatred and cruelty that endanger our society.

We should always remember about the pain and grief that people experienced inside the walls of Sachsenhausen. This power should be used to remember and fight against future hatred and work for a future of tolerance and acceptance.