Introduction

Visiting Berlin with a sight on history, especially the blackest period—Nazi Germany is the perfect sightseeing tour in a modern city. But while a visitor cannot avoid Western constructions of Nazi concentration camps, s/he is more than welcome to go to one. Even though it can turn into a heart wrenching experience it is critical to recall the incidences of world War II. In this article, it is therefore our goal to shed a light on the concentration camps around Berlin which are accessible for visitors and thus give an important historic account.

Camp Sachsenhausen

Just 35 kilometers from the capital of Germany, Sachsenhausen is one of the most convenient concentration camps to get to. erected in 1936, it was initially used as social model camp, for purpose of propaganda. It then turned into a killing and torturing ground during the war as well. Today, tourists can see the real buildings which include commandant’s house, barrack, prisoners detention cells, and the gallows. There are museum-like guided tours where one is told history as well as different narratives of that period.

Before visiting any sensitive historical place, it is important to do it with due respect. Don’t rush through the read and don’t skip the stories to get through the text quickly, also remember that you’re visiting virtual memorial of victims, so take some time for that.

Camp Ravensbrück

Ravensbrück is approximately around 90km north of Berlin, and more specifically it served as the main women’s concentration camp. Founded in the year 1939 it housed not only female inmates but also children and men detainees. It now has a museum and an archive for people to understand what happened in the concentration camp and to the detainees.

At Ravensbrück, organized tours are a great opportunity because they offer essential data about the functioning of the camp, the survival of individuals and attempts at fighting against their oppressors. Also do not forget to get to the Ravensbrück memorial where people died and perished in the concentration camp.

Alternatives to Sachsenhausen and Ravensbrück

Should you wish to experience the concentration camps near Berlin, however, would possibly not wish to have to go through emotionally strenuous exercises there are other easier ones. Any tourist should visit the Topography of Terror, a museum located in central Berlin. It offers extensive information about the coming of the Nazis to power, their beliefs and the atrocities performed by the SS during the war time. This and the fact that the museum is built on the spot where Gestapo and SS had their offices make the museum outstanding.

The second is the Memorial Site of the former Sachsenhausen concentration camp, today a site of information, documentation and commemoration. Instead of real presence in the camp, people can find the information about the history of Sachsenhausen, its role and importance for the German history in the different exhibitions, conducted tours and lessons.

Conclusion

Tours for concentration camps near Berlin are informative and moving which let us think about the past and pay respect to victims of the Germans’ Nazi regime. In this articles, we have learned the history of character concentration camps, and if we visit sites like Sachsenhausen and Ravensbrück, we will understand more about this period and never let the world forget about the crime.

But once more, these visits should be done with due respect and consideration, since such visits can be rather painful. There is also a possibility to consider other attractions that are closer to the history but do not make you emotionally charged, for instance, the museum called Topography of Terror as well as Memorial Site of Sachsenhausen. In any case, let me remind you that these visits are effective in teaching on how to construct a better future.