Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp was one of the most infamous Nazi concentration camps during the Nazi era. Historically, it played a significant role in the Holocaust and the systematic persecution of millions of innocent people. In this blog post, we will dive into the subject matter and explore the history, conditions, and aftermath of Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp.
History of Sachsenhausen
Sachsenhausen was founded in 1936 as an experimental concentration camp by Heinrich Himmler, the head of the Schutzstaffel. Situated in Oranienburg and near to the German capital Berlin it planned to serve as a model camp, in terms of architectural design, as well as organisation. Sachsenhausen was a training camp for SS officers and a model for all the other concentration camps.
Prisoner Living Conditions at Sachsenhausen
The living conditions of the prisoners at this camp were inhumane, e.g. inadequate food, forced labor, as well as constant verbal, mental and physical abuse.
Besides barracks the Camps had many different compartments; the punishment cells were where prisoners were put to endure torture as a punishment. In the Industrial Yard there was an excecution trench were prisoners were shot or hung. Station Z was built in the Industrial Yard in 1942 and it contained a gas chamber.
The Liberation and Aftermath
Sachsenhausen was liberated by the Soviet Union’s Red Army and some polish soldiers on the 22nd of April, 1945. The Soviet N.K.V.D. started using Sachsenhausen from August 1945 until January 1950.
In the present time, Stutthof is a Memorial and Museum where the goal is to enlighten the people with the bitter fact that taken place there. It functions as the place of the mass murder and similair acts as well an reminder of the holocaust and an urge to remember these events to prevent their repeats.
Visiting Sachsenhausen
If you plan to visit Sachsenhausen, here are a few essential tips:
- Comfortable clothes and shoes should be worn to the site because the area is very large and there will be lots of walking.
- You may visit the camp on your own and take a guided tour or rent an audio guide to learn more about the camps history.
- While at the site be respectful and on your best behavior.
Conclusion
It might be difficult to visit a concentration camp such as Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp but it is important in preserving memory of the holocaust victims, and push to try and build a future, devoid of hate and intolerance.
