dakkie8
Junior Travel Member
Posts: 3
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Post by dakkie8 on Mar 20, 2006 15:25:48 GMT -5
I'll be backpacking France, Germany, and the Netherlands this July solo, and a priority of mine is to visit at least one of the concentration camps in Germany.
I know some camps are sort of stuck in the middle of nowhere and aren't easily accessible by public transit, so I was wondering if anybody has had an experience visiting a camp (without a car to get there). I was thinking of going to Dachau, but have heard stories of the unpredictability of the busses that go there.
Any advice?
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Post by me on Mar 20, 2006 17:20:00 GMT -5
a priority of mine is to visit at least one of the concentration camps in Germany. the national socialists didn't put the death camps in the western part of Germany, really they are all in eastern Europe. Dachau was the 1st concentration camps, the national socialists maintained it as a "pretty" camp for red cross to visit and see that the camps weren't so bad. later, Dachau was used for some exterminations. but, not on the scale of Treblinka or Auschwitz-Birkenau. Dachau is the only one i've ever visited. despite the relativly few murders there, it's a sobering place. [after the war, someone torched the place. the huts there are reconstructions] |
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Post by jennifer on Mar 20, 2006 17:56:07 GMT -5
Yes, Dachau is a "good" concentration camp to visit, if concentration camps can ever be called good.. You know what I mean.
I visited Buchenwald also, it was well done, the visit is well held and the museum is quite touching obviously. But i'd go to Dachau if you are in Munich or Sachsenhausen if you are in Berlin. Buchenwald if you are in Dresden or Weimar I guess!
xoox
Jen
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Post by MuvverRussia on Mar 20, 2006 18:08:07 GMT -5
As the others said, Dachau isn't a true representation of a Concentration Camp. Compared to Auschwitz - Birkenau (the other camp I've visited) it's pretty much like the Disney World of Concentration Camps (sorry for the poor analogy, but you know what I mean). It was definitely more of a political camp though and wasn't really part of the Holocaust, at least not compared to the likes of Auschwitz.
It's pretty accessible (close to Munich) and there are a number of tours that go there from the Munich Hauptbahnhof though (recommended, as the buses are dodgy). If you've got a few days in Munich it's definitely worth a visit.
If you're up in Holland you could visit Westerbork concentration camp. That's meant to be quite a sobering experience, at least compared to Dachau.
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Post by Eagle on Mar 20, 2006 18:57:18 GMT -5
Check the website for Radius Tours - they have an office in the Munich train station. They offer tours of Dachau, so you shouldn't have to worry about the dodgy bus system.
I believe Matthausen is in this area also, but in Austria. I think that's the one that was portrayed in Schindler's List?
Hope this helps? Cheers!!!
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Post by MuvverRussia on Mar 20, 2006 19:23:09 GMT -5
I thought Schindler's List was linked to the Plaszow camp and not Mauthausen? Plaszow is definitely Amon Goeth's camp (the SS guy depicted in the film, played by Ralph Fiennes) and isn't far from Kraków.
I've used Radius tours when I was in Munich a few years back. They've got some pretty decent tours and weren't too expensive.
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Post by Eagle on Mar 21, 2006 13:46:09 GMT -5
muvver, I stand corrected. I wasn't sure, hence the question mark. Still, Mathausen is in the same general area as Munich, so might be possible for the OP to visit? It appears this might a bit more "intense experience" than a visit to Dachau.
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Post by LHR02 on Mar 27, 2006 12:13:01 GMT -5
Dachau is indeed sobering, but nothing like what the 'real' camps were like. But then again, nothing can prepare one for Auschwitz nor allow you to forget it once you have been there. In Orangebourg(sp sorry) north of Berlin in Sachenhausen...not much left and quite stark but will actually give you a better 'feel' than Dachau....although it too was basically political rather than extermination during the Reich albeit the Soviets used it for the same after so it more retians the sense of terror and unease.
If you will be in Berlin and have interest in this then I highly suggest visiting the Wansee House. Nothing save Auschwitz brought the shivers of pure evil! Ask to borrow the English guidebook (when i was there they allowed it) and plan on a couple of hours. Absolutely huge amounts of photos, papers, film....chilling!
DOM
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Post by me on Mar 27, 2006 13:20:35 GMT -5
my last semester of College included a research project on Wansee conference, where the "final solution" was decided by Hitler & his cronies. If you will be in Berlin and have interest in this then I highly suggest visiting the Wansee House. Nothing save Auschwitz brought the shivers of pure evil! Ask to borrow the English guidebook (when i was there they allowed it) and plan on a couple of hours. Absolutely huge amounts of photos, papers, film....chilling! |
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patrickt
Senior Travel Member
Near? Faaaaaar!!!!
Posts: 80
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Post by patrickt on Apr 5, 2006 10:29:37 GMT -5
I'm heading to Berlin in 2 days.... I'll check out Wansee House and let ya'll know how it goes.. As always.. Thanks for the input!!
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Post by me on Apr 5, 2006 11:51:45 GMT -5
FYI, you might better find it listed as "House of the Wannsee Conference" I'm heading to Berlin in 2 days.... I'll check out Wansee House and let ya'll know how it goes.. As always.. Thanks for the input!! |
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Post by LHR02 on Apr 5, 2006 17:01:04 GMT -5
Easily reached on the Berlin S-bahn. Take a taxi, not far but difficult to find as it is not well signposted. You'll need to ring the gate bell to gain entry, at least you did a few years ago. Again, if any interest it is more than worth your time.
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patrickt
Senior Travel Member
Near? Faaaaaar!!!!
Posts: 80
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Post by patrickt on Apr 13, 2006 15:23:43 GMT -5
Ok... so I didn't make it to Wansee.... but I DID go to Sachsenhausen... It was originally for political prisoners.... and it was built just prior to the Olympic Games in Belin so that international travelers wouldn't see make-shift prisons throughout Berlin.... it's an absolutely haunting place.
The remaining buildings have been converted (for the most part) into museums and memorials...
As I strongly believe that everyone should visit a concentration camp, this is a 'good' experience...
Also.... while in Berlin, take a tour of the city.... My personal reccomendation is a free tour... I forget the actual name of the company... (I think it's New Berlin)... but it's free, cause the tour guide works off of tips... Throw the guy a fiver at the end of the tour.... either way, it's cheaper than a paid tour... My guide was entertaining as well as INCREDIBLY knowledgeable.... On the tour, you get some intense insight into Berlin's past...
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Post by LHR02 on Apr 18, 2006 20:44:16 GMT -5
Glad to hear an update on Sachsenhausen...when last I was there they were just in the planning stages of reopening some of the barracks for museum exhibits. Sorry you missed Wansee....maybe next trip. FWIW.....anyone with an interest, Germany has apparently decided to release much info....see initial link here www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060418-104345-4902rging |
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