On March 22, 1933, a concentration camp for political prisoners was set up in Dachau. This camp served as a model for all later concentration camps and as a "school of violence" for the SS men under whose command it stood. In the 12 years of its existence over 200,000 persons from all over Europe were imprisoned here and in numerous subsidiary camps. More than 42,500 of them died. On April29, 1945, American troops liberated the survivors.
Walking along the prisoners' path to the entrance.
The Jourhaus was the only entrance to the prisoner camp. "Work sets you free" was set in the middle of the gate.
The maintenance building (today the site of the exhibition and admin offices) were the kitchen, the clothing store, workshops, and the baths. Written in large letters across the roof of the building was "There is one path to freedom. Its milestones are: 'Obedience, honesty, cleanliness, sobriety, diligence, orderliness, sacrifice, truthfulness, love of the fatherland.'
Memorials in honour of the prisoners.
Guard tower...the camp fencing was made up of grass strips, ditches with electrified barbed-wire fence and camp wall. SS men guarded the camp grounds from seven towers. If a prisoner stepped onto the grass stop, he was shot at.
The barracks and in front of it was the roll-call area where the prisoners were forced to line up mornings and evenings to be counted and often had to stand motionless for several hours. If a prisoner was missing, such as an escape attempt, this torture could be drawn out for many hours.
The barracks were where the prisoners were housed.
Every barrack was divided into four Stuben, comprising of a day room and dormitory. They were designed to accommodate 200 prisoners, but towards the end of the war each barrack was overcrowded with up to 2000 prisoners.
The camp road with the poplars planted by the prisoners ran between the barracks. It was the main meeting place for the prisoners during the few free hours they had.
Seventeen barracks stood on both sides of the camp road. The numbered foundations on both sides of the camp road mark the sites of the former prisoner barracks. They are no longer there as the original barracks were torn down in 1964 because of their dilapidated state.
Washing station in the barracks.
Toilets in each barracks.
The Protestant Church of Reconciliation Memorial, built in 1967
Lighting a candle in remembrance.
Crematorium area...in summer 1940 the SS had a crematorium built because the number odd dead had risen dramatically. This area was located outside the prisoner camp and was only accessible by passing through the SS camp. Executions and murder operations were carried out in the crematorium.
You have to wonder how some of the people survived, after hearing and reading the stories of the torture they endured.
Our way out...A very somber place to visit and reflect on.
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