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Sachsenhausen Memorial & Museum: A somber journey through history

Explore Sachsenhausen Memorial & Museum near Berlin: a poignant site of remembrance, education, and reflection on the Nazi era.

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Sachsenhausen Memorial & Museum, located in Oranienburg near Berlin, stands as a stark reminder of the atrocities committed during the Nazi regime. Originally built in 1936 as a concentration camp, it held over 200,000 prisoners until its liberation in 1945. Today, the site serves as a memorial and museum, offering visitors a comprehensive understanding of its history and the suffering endured by those imprisoned within its walls.

A brief summary to Sachsenhausen Memorial & Museum

  • Monday 8:30 am-5 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am-5 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 8:30 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 8:30 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes, as the memorial site is extensive and involves a lot of walking.
  • Dress according to the weather, as much of the site is outdoors. Consider bringing sun or rain protection.
  • Allow at least half a day to fully explore the memorial and museum.
  • The content and images may not be suitable for children under 12.
  • Lockers are available for medium-sized bags at the Visitor Information Center.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Berlin, take the S-Bahn line S1 to Oranienburg station. The journey from Berlin Friedrichstraße station takes approximately 45 minutes. Alternatively, take regional trains RE5 or RB12 from Berlin Hauptbahnhof to Oranienburg station, which takes around 25-45 minutes. From Oranienburg station, take bus line 804 or 821 to the 'Gedenkstätte' stop, which is right at the entrance of the Memorial. The bus ride takes approximately 15 minutes. A single VBB ticket from Berlin ABC zone is required. The bus fare is included in the ABC ticket.

  • Walking

    From Oranienburg train station, it is approximately a 20-minute walk to the Sachsenhausen Memorial & Museum. Follow the signs leading to the Memorial ('Gedenkstätte'). The path is well-marked with information along the way. This is a free option.

  • Taxi

    From Oranienburg train station, a taxi to Sachsenhausen Memorial & Museum takes approximately 10 minutes. Taxis are usually available outside the station. The estimated fare is between €15-€25. There are parking areas for visitors who choose to drive.

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Discover more about Sachsenhausen Memorial & Museum

The Sachsenhausen Memorial & Museum, located approximately 35km north of Berlin, marks the site of the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, established in 1936. Designed as a model camp, it became the administrative center for all concentration camps within the German sphere of power. Sachsenhausen held over 200,000 prisoners from across Europe, including political opponents, Jews, Roma, and Soviet prisoners of war. Tens of thousands perished due to hunger, disease, forced labor, medical experiments, and systematic extermination. The memorial site includes original and reconstructed buildings, offering insight into the camp's structure and the prisoners' living conditions. Visitors can explore the roll-call area, barracks, prison cells, and the execution trench. The New Museum features exhibits on the camp's history, the Soviet Special Camp that operated on the site from 1945 to 1950, and the memorial's development. Audio guides are available to enhance the self-guided tour experience. After the war, the Soviet Union used Sachsenhausen as a special camp for political prisoners until 1950. In 1961, the German Democratic Republic (GDR) established the Sachsenhausen National Memorial. Since 1993, the Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum has been part of the Brandenburg Memorials Foundation.

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