Dachau Germany
The Dachau Concentration Camp and Memorial Site - An Experience You Won't Forget.
I was fourteen when I first visited the Dachau concentration camp and memorial. I didn't know what to expect, but I'm glad I went. The visit was a profound experience - one I will never forget.
When one hears of Dachau Germany, the first thought that comes to mind is the atrocities committed in the infamous Nazi concentration camp.
It was the first Nazi prison camp. Built in 1933 by Heinrich Himmler and became a prototype for the other camps that followed.
Originally intended as a 'slave labor' camp for political prisoners, it grew to also imprison thousands of Jews after the 1938 pogroms. It was designed to hold about 6,000 prisoners, but it eventually held over 31,000 prisoners at at time. Diseases, such as typhus was rampant and starvation was common.
It was also a training center for SS concentration camp guards, and the organization and routine became the model for all Nazi concentration camps.
Among the worst atrocities committed at the Dachau concentration camp were the cruel and inhumane medical experiments, using prisoners as guinea pigs.
Dachau was in operation from 1933 to 1945 before its liberation by American soldiers. In that time over 206,000 registered prisoners were there and over 32,000 people died at the camp.
When you enter the site, as the prisoners did, you will notice the taunting and deceitful slogan by the Nazis on the iron gate "Arbeit Macht Frei" (Work makes you Free).
Beyond that is the Roll Call Square where the prisoners were accounted for every morning and given their work assignments.
Other areas to see include:
- The Barracks - They were destroyed, but two have been reconstructed.
- The "Baths" originally used to disinfect the new prisoners, but it was converted in to a torture and execution chamber.
- The Shunt Room is were the clothing and personal belongings of the new prisoners were confiscated.
- And most chilling is the Crematorium and the Gas Chamber, disguised as a shower room.
- The Museum has photos, documents and a Theater featuring a 22 minute documentary film. An English presentation is scheduled several times a day.
The Dachau Memorial Site is very powerful yet tastefully presented and impressive.
Plan to spend several hours there. Either a guided tour or a self-guided audio tour is very helpful. You definately will need time to absorb and reflect upon all the images and information that is presented.
However, keep in mind it may not be suitable for young children. But for those who have learned about the Holocaust, it is an educational experience they will carry with them for a long time - as it did with me.
Admission is free to enter but parking fees are € 3 per car, and € 5 for busses. No refreshments are available at the site, so bring something to drink.
The Town of Dachau
I can't neglect to mention the beautiful town of Dachau. Located just 16 km northwest of Munich, it is a lovely midieval village about 1,100 years old that has been oversadowed by the events that took place there in World War II.
The village was a favorite of Bavarian royalty and Schloss Dachau, a summer residence of the Wittelsbach dynasty, is located on the southwest edge of town. Much of the original castle is gone, but the part that remians is used to host concerts and art shows. The baroque Hofgarten has an orchard, a rose garded and meandering paths.
There is also the very pretty Altstadt, (old city center), with a wide variety of great restaurants. (I had a fantastic schnitzel there) and stroll among the midieval architecture.
Before the war, the town was known as an Artist colony. Today, it is a highly regarded art and cultural center, with a lot of things to see. Cultural events, such as the Palace Concerts and the traditional Folk Festival make it worth a visit all year round.
Getting There
It is easy to reach by Public Transportation from Munich.
Take the S2 train from Munich toward Dachau/Petershausen until you reach the station. The train ride takes approximately 25 minutes from Munich’s Central Station (Hauptbahnhof).
To get to the Memorial Site, take bus 726 towards "Saubachsiedlung" to the entrance ("KZ-Gedenkstätte").
By Autobahn:
From München: A9 (Nuremberg) then A99 to the Feldmoching interchange, then A92 to the Oberschleißheim/Dachau exit, then B471.
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