On our way to Berlin, we visited the Sachsenhausen concentration camp located in the Sachsenhausen quarter, part of the town of Oranienburg, which is north of Berlin.
The camp was in operation from 1930-45 and started by housing policitcal prisoners, then run by the Nazis and from 1945-50 ultimately taken over by the Soviets. Many structures survived or have been reconstructed, including guard towers, the camp entrance, crematory ovens and the camp barracks. Also, after Germany re-united, museums were opened on the premises.
After visiting Dachau (near Munich) and Ravensbruck (a women's work camp also near Berlin), my impressions of this camp were similar but very different at the same time. This camp, being in the former east, has a twisted history with the camp remaining open after WWII under the Soviets. You are able to witness experience the history of the camp under the Nazis and under the Soviets. I also thought this camp was restored very well and had a remarkable amount of information.
I would recommend to visit when the weather is nice and you have ample time to really get the full experience.
Photos:
1 - Entrance
2 - "Work for freedom"
3 - A large Soviet-style memorial obelisk was erected in 1961
4 - Quote from a prisoner
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