Visiting Sachsenhausen

By Jake Fear



The History of Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

Establishment and Function

Sachsenhausen was built in 1936, becoming one of the very first concentration camps established after Heinrich Himmler was appointed Chief of German Police. It was strategically located just 35 kilometers north of Berlin in the town of Oranienburg, allowing the SS to directly oversee operations from the capital. The camp was chillingly designed as a "model camp"—setting the grim standard for other concentration camps in both its construction and operational organization.

Originally intended to hold political prisoners, Sachsenhausen's prisoner population soon expanded to include Jews, homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, those deemed "asocials," and, after 1939, thousands of prisoners of war from various nations occupied by Nazi Germany. Unlike specialized extermination camps such as Auschwitz-Birkenau, Sachsenhausen was primarily a forced labor camp, yet tens of thousands still died from exhaustion, disease, malnutrition, pneumonia, severe exposure, brutal execution, and sadistic medical experiments.

The camp's distinct triangular layout was specifically engineered to allow a minimum number of guards to control a maximum number of prisoners. A single machine gun post at the main entrance gate could cover the entire expanse of barracks. The infamous inscription "Arbeit Macht Frei" ("Work Sets You Free") was emblazoned on the iron entrance gate, serving as a cruel mockery of the prisoners' tragic fate.

Life in the Camp

Prisoners at Sachsenhausen endured unimaginably harsh conditions. Forced into backbreaking construction projects and laboring in armaments factories, many were literally worked to death. The SS eventually established more than 100 subcamps near various industrial complexes across northern Germany, systematically exploiting the prisoners for slave labor.

One of the most horrific features of the camp was the "shoe-testing track," where prisoners were forced to relentlessly march 40 kilometers daily over grueling surfaces just to test military footwear. Countless prisoners collapsed and died during these forced marches. Sachsenhausen also housed specialized medical facilities where barbaric, pseudo-scientific experiments were conducted on unconsenting prisoners.

In total, approximately 200,000 people were imprisoned in Sachsenhausen between 1936 and 1945. Tens of thousands perished from exhaustion, rampant disease, malnutrition, and vicious mistreatment. Countless others were systematically murdered. In 1941 alone, over 13,000 Soviet POWs were ruthlessly executed at the camp. Many Jewish prisoners were also temporarily held at Sachsenhausen before being sent eastward to their deaths in extermination camps.

Liberation and Soviet Use

In April 1945, as the Red Army rapidly approached, the SS forced over 30,000 of the remaining prisoners on a brutal death march. Anyone too weak to continue was immediately shot. The camp was finally liberated by Soviet and Polish troops on April 22, 1945, who found only about 3,000 critically ill and starving prisoners left alive inside.

Tragically, the story of Sachsenhausen did not end with its liberation. From 1945 to 1950, the Soviet NKVD (later known as the KGB) repurposed the site as "Special Camp No. 7." It was used to house political prisoners, former Nazi party members, and alleged opponents of the Soviet occupation. Approximately 60,000 people were detained during this period, with around 12,000 dying from severe malnutrition and rampant disease.

The Town of Oranienburg: A Brief History

Oranienburg boasts a long, complex history that significantly predates its dark association with the Holocaust. Founded in the 13th century as Bötzow, the town received its current name in 1652 when Friedrich Wilhelm, the Great Elector of Brandenburg, renamed it to honor his wife, Louise Henriette of Orange-Nassau (Oranien in German).

Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, the town flourished as a distinguished royal residence. The beautiful Oranienburg Palace served as a favored summer retreat for the Prussian royal family. Designed by Johann Arnold Nering, this stunning baroque palace remains one of the oldest of its kind in Brandenburg and is proudly open to visitors today.

Oranienburg's modern history took a deeply tragic turn in March 1933, when the Nazis established the SA-run Oranienburg camp—one of the very first concentration camps—in an abandoned brewery right in the town center. This early camp operated until 1934 and was eventually replaced by the much larger, purpose-built Sachsenhausen camp on the outskirts of town.

The town itself suffered immense damage during World War II, particularly from heavy Allied bombing raids targeting local factories and military installations. After the war, Oranienburg fell within East Germany and underwent significant socialist reconstruction.

Since the joyful German reunification in 1990, Oranienburg has been steadily revitalized. While respectfully acknowledging its difficult past through the Sachsenhausen Memorial, the town has also beautifully restored its historic center and palace. Today, Oranienburg is a quiet, pleasant suburb of Berlin with approximately 45,000 residents, thoughtfully balancing the solemn commemoration of its past with forward-looking development.

The Memorial Today

After the Soviet special camp finally closed in 1950, portions of the camp were demolished. In 1956, during the East German era, the Sachsenhausen National Memorial was established on a section of the former camp site. Following German reunification, the memorial was extensively redesigned and expanded to provide a much more comprehensive and honest historical account, specifically including information about the Soviet camp that had previously been intentionally downplayed.

Today, the deeply moving Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum covers much of the original camp area. Visitors can observe:

  • The preserved and meticulously reconstructed entrance gate bearing the chilling "Arbeit Macht Frei" sign.
  • The vast roll-call area where prisoners were forced to stand for hours to be counted daily.
  • Barracks 38 and 39, which have been repurposed to house powerful exhibitions.
  • The claustrophobic and terrifying prison building ("Zellenbau").
  • The grim pathology building and Station Z, the site's primary execution area.
  • The camp infirmary, site of many medical atrocities.
  • The industrial yard where forced labor took place.
  • Various national memorials respectfully erected to honor victims from different countries.
  • The main Museum of the Memorial, which displays extensive documentation, personal accounts, and historical artifacts.

The memorial site functions as both an educational museum and a sacred place of remembrance. It aims to document the history of the camp comprehensively, preserve the physical remains as undeniable evidence of Nazi crimes, commemorate the countless victims, and educate all visitors about this incredibly dark chapter of German history.

Practical Information for Visitors

Getting to Sachsenhausen from Berlin

Sachsenhausen is highly accessible from Berlin via public transportation:

  1. By Train: Take the S-Bahn S1 line (direction Oranienburg) from central Berlin directly to the Oranienburg station. The journey takes approximately 50 minutes from the city center.
  2. From Oranienburg Station: Upon arriving, you have two simple options:
    • Take bus #804 to the "Gedenkstätte" (Memorial) stop, a short ride of about 10 minutes.
    • Walk directly to the memorial, which takes approximately 20-25 minutes. Just follow the clear signs marked "KZ-Gedenkstätte" (Concentration Camp Memorial).
  3. Alternative Route: You can also opt for the Regional Express trains (RE5) from Berlin Hauptbahnhof or Gesundbrunnen to Oranienburg, which are slightly faster than the S-Bahn.

Tip: If using Berlin public transportation, strongly consider purchasing a Berlin ABC ticket, as Oranienburg is located in Zone C. A day pass (Tageskarte ABC) is often the most economical choice for this journey.

Visiting Hours and Admission

  • The memorial grounds are open to the public daily:
    • March to October: 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM
    • November to February: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
    • Closed on December 24 and 31.
  • The museums and specific exhibitions are open:
    • Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (March to October)
    • Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM (November to February)
    • Closed on Mondays.
  • Admission to both the memorial site and the permanent exhibitions is completely free of charge.
  • Audio guides are available for a small fee and are highly recommended for a richer experience.
  • Guided tours in English are offered at specific times for an additional fee.

Visiting Tips

  1. Time Needed: Allow at least 3-4 hours for your visit to properly experience the memorial grounds and the extensive exhibitions.
  2. Guided Tours: Strongly consider joining a guided tour for deeper insights. The memorial offers its own tours, or you can easily book a comprehensive tour departing from Berlin that includes transportation.
  3. Respectful Behavior: Always remember that this is a solemn place where thousands suffered and died. Please dress and behave appropriately. Photography is permitted in most areas but should be done respectfully.
  4. Weather Preparation: Much of the site is fully outdoors, so dress according to the day's weather and be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.
  5. Emotional Impact: Visiting Sachsenhausen can be deeply emotionally challenging. The exhibitions contain graphic images and descriptions of the atrocities committed there. Be prepared for this heavy emotional experience.
  6. Limited Facilities: There is only a small café located at the visitor center, so options are limited. Consider bringing your own water and small snacks.
  7. Accessibility: Parts of the memorial have been adapted for visitors with limited mobility, but due to the historical nature of the site, not all areas are easily accessible.

Reflecting on Your Visit

A visit to Sachsenhausen is not simply an act of tourism; it is a vital educational experience and a profound act of remembrance. The memorial serves as a powerful, permanent reminder of exactly where unchecked hatred, prejudice, and authoritarianism can lead.

When planning your daily itinerary, consider scheduling some lighter activities for after your visit to help process the heavy experience. Many visitors find it highly valuable to set aside quiet time for reflection, whether through a peaceful walk, writing in a personal journal, or simply discussing their thoughts with travel companions.

By visiting Sachsenhausen, you actively participate in the important work of ensuring that the victims are never forgotten, and that the crucial lessons of this dark period in history continue to be learned by each new generation.

The philosopher George Santayana's poignant words, inscribed at many Holocaust memorials, remain incredibly relevant: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." A visit to Sachsenhausen helps ensure that we do remember, and in remembering, we commit ourselves to preventing such unimaginable atrocities from ever happening again.

Location Details:
Sachsenhausen Memorial & Museum
Str. d. Nationen 22, 16515 Oranienburg, Germany
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Map of Sachsenhausen Memorial & Museum
Location: Sachsenhausen Memorial & Museum

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