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Dachau Concentration Camp is located in Germany, close to Munich. It’s an easy drive if you are already in town for Oktoberfest. See our post here for Top 5 Things To Do at Oktoberfest. Our family was vacationing in Germany when the discussion came up about touring Dachau Concentration Camp. We had gone back and forth as I’m sure most families would. We had many questions about what we were going to see and experience. Was it going to be depressing? Would it put a damper on our day? Would we be glad we went? Here’s the answers. Was it depressing? No, but it was sad, and humbling. Did the visit put a damper on our day? No, but we still periodically reflect on the camp with respect to this day. Are we glad we went? Absolutely! Dachau is a important part of history and history should never be forgotten. We will take you through some of the camp so can know what to expect and make your own decision to experience Dachau Concentration Camp. Admission is free and you can take an audio guide if you did not come with a tour guide.
Before you even enter Dachau you see railroad tracks, if you look opposite of the camp you will see houses. These are repurposed guard houses. The railroad tracks are where the trains would come in with people coming to the camp. At the opening of Dachau, it was said it was a job camp, which history finds that to be correct. Throughout the war was when the camp changed to what most know it as today. There is a informational plaque prior to entering the gate.
The front gate is a replica due to the original being stolen. On the side of the gate there is a plaque for the US Army Liberators (those who helped close concentration camps.) This holds a special place in our family because our grandfather traveled throughout this area liberating camps with other Army divisions. The plaque also gives information about the front gate and is in memory of the victims.
As you walk through the gates, you are met with a heart-wrenching sign. “May the example of those who were exterminated here between 1933 – 1945 because they resisted nazism help to unite the living for the defiance of peace and freedom and in respect for their fellow men”
Then as you walk to your left you are met with art. Yes, there is art within the concentration camp in multiple areas. Be warned, the art will tug at your heart. The artist is Nandor Glid to remember those who perished while here.
The next piece of art is also from Nandor Glid, you will find this piece at eye level. It has chains that are held together by bars to signify the prisoner’s unity. The colors are all of the different types of badges that prisoners wore to identify their “classification.”
The multiple buildings throughout the grounds are all open for you to walk through. There are informational plaques everywhere you turn. There are multiple plaques that you will see, from diagrams, pictures and written pages. You can stop and read about the room that you are in throughout your tour.
The grounds are actually beautiful and you will see people stopping to take pictures throughout the grounds. You will hear conversations and comments of how this area could be so pretty. There are pictures of the grounds that you can see how much the trees have grown over time. They have removed and taken down many of the barracks and housing buildings but there are still the outline of them in the middle courtyard.
Towards the back of the grounds you will see an oddly shaped building partially built into the ground. There is no cross or traditional markings to let you know this is a church. This building is Protestant church named is “Church of Reconciliation.” The curved walls and out of the ordinary architecture was actually a defiant choice to stand against the Nazis. Inside you will find a very simple interior of concrete and hints of defiance. Sadness, beauty and hope all in one building.
As you come out of the church you have the option of walking out of Dachau grounds. At this point is where you decide if you want to continue or stop your tour here. You will find green grass with a ditch and barbed wire and a guard shack over looking the exit. The gravel road will lead you to the gas chambers and crematory, which you will notice some groups will split up for a short time. Everything is tastefully done and there are benches placed if you choose to wait for your traveling companions to finish the walk through of these buildings.
Our family personally made the choice to walk through these building and areas to pay our respects for the countless lives lost on these grounds. This was an unforgettable tour and our entire family is glad that we went, and it made us proud that our family member played a part to put an end to these camps. May history never be forgotten and may we never repeat it. Leave a comment and let us know what piece of history you were lucky to experience.
