Germany is a country with a rich and complex history, and a visit to Berlin provides an opportunity to learn and reflect on its past. One aspect of this history that many visitors find important to explore are the concentration camps that existed during World War II. While it can be a daunting subject, visiting these sites can help promote understanding, commemoration, and education. In this blog post, we will introduce you to some of the concentration camps near Berlin that you can visit to gain a deeper understanding of this tragic period in world history.

1. Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

The Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp has been established 35 km north to Berlin, and can be referred as one of the most restored and well-preserved concentration camp memorials in Germany. Originally constructed to contain political prisoners, Sachsenhausen afterwards transformed into a death camp. Today it is a powerful national memorial and museum complex.

Since the main camp wasn’t enough for the amount of people, there are many subcamps which were used for different activities during the war. They offer guided tours because it is agreed that visitors lack proper historical background and must be informed on the importance of the camp. Within on-site museum visitors learn more about the life of prisoners, their sufferings, their experiences and the fates of those who died.

2. The Ravensbrück concentration camp

Ravensbrück was a concentration camp of Nazis situated about 90 km north of Berlin and was majorly used to imprison women. This was the biggest camp specifically for women within the German Reich. Seeing Ravensbrück with one’s own eyes might provide more insight on women during that period .

The exhibitions in the memorial site are many and information as: stories of the victim and the resistance. The barracks and the crematorium included in the camp remain as the original structures to this present day. Touring is also done by facilitating the public to get acquainted with the camp with particular focus on the strong women who faced plethora of suffering.

3. Dachau Concentration Camp

Like in the case of Auschwitz, Dachau Concentration Camp is not close to Berlin but it is situated near Munich as well which is quite close to Berlin. Dachau was the first of a number of concentration camps to be set up in Germany and had the role of an example. It became an emblem of genocide and other terrible horrors during the holocaust.

The recreation of area offers people an opportunity to get a feel of the bad as that which happened in Dachau. It consists of a museum where there are captions and details on the wall; prisoners’ block – actual reconstructed premises; entrance with the “Arbeit macht frei” inscription. Public guides are provided who show the history of the area and the different spots to visit since the location is quite large.

4. Buchenwald Concentration Camp

Buchenwald Concentration Camp is found in Germany near Weimar, about 280 kilometers away from Berlin southwestwards. Although it is located far from the capital, Buchenwald is one of the concentration camps that should be mentioned as a memorial.

The camp was involved in the extermination of a number of people, including Jews, prisoners of war and political prisoners. Despite the fact that the greater part of the camp infrastructure was destroyed, after the tour to Buchenwald one can trace the remnants of the camp, such as crematorium, prisoners’ block, and the memorial raised to the victims.

Conclusion

The walking tours to the concentration camp sites around Berlin must be considered going through the history of the Nazi reign in Germany. Some of the concentration camps accustoming visitors with the tragic history include Sachsenhausen, Ravensbrück, Dachau, and Buchenwald, of which all are located in and around Berlin.

Finally, when doing so, remembrer to do so with an open mind, and with respect, honors, and an appreciation of History. In doing so, you pay homage to those people who suffered and guarantee that no one forgets about it.