When discussing the history of concentration camps, it is important to acknowledge the significant role played by the first concentration camp that emerged in Berlin.
The Beginnings of the Berlin Concentration Camp
The first of such camps was built in Berlin with the name Sachsenhausen. It was founded in the summer of 1936 by the Third Reich under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, and it was in the Oranienburg district. First of all, the camp was to become an example for the other concentration camps which were to be organized later.
Construction and Purpose
Sachsenhausen concentration camp was built in 1936, but its construction was meant to hold political prisoners, intelligentsia, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and members of specific religious and race. In the same way, Sachsenhausen was also used as the model for experimenting with and improving punishments, camp governance and prisoner regulation.
Housing and Coonamination of Living Areas in Sachsenhausen
Living conditions in Sachsenhausen were very miserable, strict regime and infringements of the prisoners’ rights were used on daily basis. Inmates were forced to work hard, starved and tortured by the SS gaurds. Some were killed by diseases, starvation, and fatigue.
Sachsenhausen’s Role
Sachsenhausen was also an important concentration camp during the holocaust and also a breeding ground of most of the specialists in concentration camp management who went to other well developed concentration camps. The authors clearly demonstrate that the practices of the other camps were formed based on the experience of their predecessors, including Sachsenhausen.
Main Features of Sachsenhausen
Sachsenhausen had several notable aspects that made it distinct:
The T-shaped layout: It was composed of different sections; the ‘T’ structure allowed easy monitoring and management because from the central observation tower, several sections could be observed.
Medical experiments: As with other concentration camps, more ‘medical’ experiments were carried out on prisoners in Sachsenhausen against their will.
Hidden factories: There where several underground factories at the camp, where the prisoners where under conditions that could only be describe as torturous where forced to work to produce goods for the Nazi war effort.
Survivor Stories
Some of the survivors of Sachsenhausen have lived to tell the story and the ordeal as well as the strength people possess. Their accounts of stay in the camp inform people about brutality witnessed inside the fence and the strength of survivors.
Sachsenhausen Today
Sachsenhausen is now a memorial and museum and thereby enables the visitor to learn about the camp, as well as the victims thereof. The existence of the preserved buildings and the exhibitions make the visitors relieved of dreadful experience of this pecyod of human history.
Trail will involve the visit of Sachsenhausen Memorial.
If you plan to visit the Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Opening hours: All the information aforementioned pertains to the directions and hours of operation may change in response to the situation; therefore, visitors always should check in the official site for the changes.
Guided tours: You might book for a guided tour to fully appreciate the historical importance of the area.
Respectful behavior: Just a reminder please do not be rude to anyone you meet during your visit. Always respect silence zones and leave flowers for people who died.
Conclusion
It can be also noted that the first concentration camp situated in Berlin – Sachsenhausen – set an example for other such establishments for the period of the Third Reich. Sachsenhausen taught us about the horrors perpetrated on prisoners and concluded the need to learn about such history not to repeat it again.
People can today; visit Sachsenhausen to respect the dead and as they do so also preserve their memory.
