We’ve driven by the sign for Dachau Concentration Camp numerous time over the four years we’ve lived in Europe. Usually we are on the way to and from somewhere when the camp is closed. Well, I made a point this trip to plan my day so I could visit Dachau. All was going well this trip, except for the weather. It was just pouring down rain on the drive there. I debated not going and to save the visit for a nicer day. Then I thought of the thousands that were imprisoned and died there. They didn’t get a day off because of rain and so I sucked it up to pay my respects. I needed to visit if for no reason than the conditions that the prisoners had to face.
Some people may wonder why you would want to visit a place like this. For me, I guess I would say I’m a history buff. I am drawn into these places just by knowing what took place there. If you’re in an area to check out sites like this, I think we owe it to the people that suffered there. I think we owe it to the soldiers that liberated Europe and eventually the people at the camp. Other places like Chernobyl just peak my interest and are still on our wish list to visit. A few months ago I was able to visit a few WWII cemeteries at in Luxembourg and Lorraine, those sobering experiences as well.
As you walk through the giant iron gates at Dachau you’ll notice an inscription on the gate. It says “Arbeit macht frei”, which translated to English means work makes you free. Dachau was originally an ammunition factory turned work camp during the war. It was the first concentration type camp in Germany and was also a training center for the SS guards. The camp was setup to contain 5,000 prisoners but in it’s peak in 1944, held as many as 12,000 prisoners amongst the 30 huts. In it’s 12 year existence as a camp, 206,000 people were imprisoned with almost 32,000 being killed or dying there.
Walking the grounds today there are still two of the 30 huts standing. You can walk through one of them to see the bunks and toilets and you get a very quick glimpse of what life would have been like there. I didn’t spend much time inside and chances are that you won’t like the vibe there either. On site are also a few memorials setup to remember all those lost there. Throughout the grounds you will still see fresh flowers placed at different places. Some by organizations and others just small bouquets sitting on the number of bunks, or just on the walls near the administrative building. They may be gone but let’s never let them be forgotten.
Know Before You Go
- The Dachau Concentration Camp memorial site is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The memorial site is closed on December 24th.
- The memorial site’s archive and library are available by appointment only between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm Tuesday to Friday.
- Entry is free; however, if traveling by car there is a parking fee of €3 per car.
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Sofie says
In Belgium we’ve got the Fortress of Breendonk (weird to say it like that – it’s nothing to be proud of). I’ve passed a sign directing to the Fortress many times when I was on my way to something and I’ve often thought that I should go visit it someday. Yet up until now I haven’t, because I know it will be heavy.
Bram says
I’ve never been to the Fortress of Breen either, even though it’s so close to where I live. I really should… (It wasn’t a concentration camp though 😉 )
Bram says
*Breendonk
Sofie says
No, I know. I just mentioned it because it’s also a place that I’ve passed several times and should’ve already visited.
Bram says
I’ve visited the concentration camp in Terezin, Czech Republic several years ago. It’s one of those places where you get really silent and humble… I think it’s so important to visit places like this too, and not just the fun stuff like the Eiffel Tower or whatever.
Tim Davis says
Yes I get really quiet at these kind of places, I almost want to throw rocks at people that are carrying on everyday conversations.
Cat says
I read “The Diary of a Young Girl” when I was only eight, and have since been interested in WWII history. It wasn’t until early 2012 that I went to my first concentration camp outside of Berlin with a German friend. the wind howled and the whole place was empty, save Kirs and I, and being a part of her history, it was even more sobering. I agree that it’s important to be witness to these atrocities to work towards peace and tolerance.
MIchael E. says
I visited this campm while on my honeymoon in 1990 just after the wall came down. Its not exactly the honeymoon type of spot, but for me having family that perished in other camps and this one it was important to me to see this and anne Frank house while in europe. I dont regret going but also that marriage is over so maybe in retrospect it was not so romantic. :0(
Tim Davis says
Well sorry about the marriage but not sure if the honeymoon visit would have doomed it. We probably would visit as well, you never know if you are going to make it back to some of these places.
MIchael E. says
I think visiting is important. Never forget! Also young children need to see all the good, the bad, and in this case the ugly that goes on in the world. Seem’s the hiler youth is again live and well all over europe in a new fascist wave. Always happens when serious recessions loom. well enough of that serious stuff.. Did ya’all go to Euro Disney? LOL.
Mandy says
What a powerful post. We met up with good friends in Munich last year and I really wanted to go to Dachau but my friend didn’t. She said she couldn’t cope with it. I understand that and respect it. I do hope to go one day and expect that it will be a shattering experience. Thank you for your photos – they really communicate the horror and desperation of the camp.
Tim Davis says
Sorry you weren’t able to visit, it is a very moving site but one I think should be visited.
Andrea says
We visited Auschwitz – very sobering
Tim Davis says
Auschwitz is on my bucket list of places I need to visit still.
Tim Davis says
No Euro Disney for me, had a limited amount of time on this trip. Maybe one day we’ll make it there, but it’s not at the top of the bucket list.
Dale says
Concentration camps are an incredibly difficult place to visit, but more difficult still is the realisation that such things were allowed to happen in such a modern period of history when humanity consider themselves so incredibly enlightened.
Visiting places like Dachau are important as a reminder of the brutality of man against man and that we must act today so that we don’t revisit yesterday.
Ali says
I was there when I was 16, and even though I don’t remember too much about it, I do remember, even at that age, the very heavy feeling of being there. I’m not sure I could handle it again, but I think it is so important for people to visit places like this so we never forget what happened.
Ruth Kelly says
My grandfather's brother, a Polish Catholic Priest, died in this awful place. I have no desire to visit any death camps – such sad places.
Tim says
It is amazing how these places stick in our minds long after we have moved on. I visited Dachau many times when working as a guide in Europe and the quiet and eeriness of the place is still my most vivid recollection. I recently visited the Killing Fields in Cambodia and the same senses enveloped me. Thanks for the post, Tim