What can I expect on a Sachsenhausen Berlin Tour?
If you plan to visit Berlin, one of the places, which is worth a visit, is the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial, which is only outside the city. A trip to this historical place gives a mature and a grim experience, to inform you about the criminels of World War II. In this blog post we will discuss, what you can expect on a Sachsenhausen Berlin Tour and how it can give some invaluable insight into this dark period in history.
The History of Sachsenhausen
Sachsenhausen was one of the first concentration camps under rule of Nazi Germany established in 1936. Designed initially to accommodate political prisoners, it then became a prototype of subsequent camps and a place from which SS officers were trained. During its existence the camp had the status of a place of unbearable suffering with thousands of prisoners were forced to work, were offered to participate in medical experiments and executed.
Guided Tours
It is strongly advised to visit Sachsenhausen accompanied by a guide to learn about the history and importance of the camp. Informed guides offer helpful insights, stories, historical information which enrich your experience and make your visit more meaningful.
While on tour, you shall tour various parts of the camp such as the barrack for prisoners, punishment cells, and execution grounds. You will learn the prison life on daily basis, conditions under which the prisoners were forced to live and how the Nazis used to dehumanize the prisoners as they manipulated them to control them.
The Prisoner Barracks
When you enter through the prisoner barracks, you understand how close living conditions were and how one could compare the quarters of the prisoners to the facilities that kept them under guard. Your guide will tell stories of the resilience and survival, he or she will mention the hardships of the inmates and the amazing strength they showed in such difficult situations.
Punishment Cells
A tour of the punishment cells gives a very eerie view of the torturing and intimidating methods used by the SS. Such cells were used for the isolation of violating prisoners or the suspects of planning escape attempts. It is a sad recall of the cruel treatment that was done to those who were detained in the camp.
Execution Grounds
Execution grounds are one of the saddest places in the camp. In here, prisoners were subjected to summary executions, hangings, and other manifestations of punishment. Your guide will relate accounts about the people whose lives were surrounded by misery before they have their lives cut short and the massive loss and suffering of their families and loved ones.
Reflection and Memorials
There are reserved areas for reflection and commemoration during the tour. These places offer travellers a chance to pause, to reflect on what occurred in Sachsenhausen and to remember the victims. It is a serious ordeal for those who appreciate the lessons of history and strive not to repeat the same atrocities.
Note that remember to act appropriately while in your destination by respecting the available guidelines and avoid taking pictures in sensitive areas as a show of respect to the memory of the victims.
Final Thoughts
Having a tour around Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial is a very emotional, but at the same time an educational experience, as one can see what the horrors from the past are. By observing the leftovers from this dark period of history, you get to learn how resilient the human spirit is and how pivotal vigilance against the oppression is.
When you plan for a trip to Berlin, identify a Sachsenhausen Berlin Tour as part of your itinerary. It is a chance to honor the victims, and make sure their stories never fade away. We remember them and strive for a more merciful and tolerant world through this experience.
Table of Contents
