Dachau Concentration Camp

2008, 4.4 Dachau, Germany (Pronounced DOCK-ow)

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As may be expected, some of the content of this entry is very unpleasant. It is intended only as information from what I learned about the horrible atrocities that occurred at this Concentration Camp and others throughout Europe during the Holocaust and the time during which Hitler and the Nazi regime were in power. I have the utmost respect for those who suffered through the hate and violence of the Holocaust and I cannot imagine the horror that these victims endured. I sympathize with them and admire their strength. I believe it is amazing that the survivors are willing to share their story and that it is extremely important that they do. I hope to aid in this effort by sharing some of what I learned during my tour of the Dachau Concentration Camp in this blog entry.
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Dachau Concentration Camp near Munich, Germany

I visited Dachau Concentration Camp on 4 April, 2008. While the grounds are open for anyone to visit and explore on their own, I took a guided tour lead by Gordon Hogan, an Irish artist, who has studied and researched the history and politics surrounding WWII and the Holocaust for many years, several of which he has lived and worked in Germany, more specifically in the Munich/Dachau area. (Please see the following blog entry for more information on the tour guide.)

As would be expected, touring the Concentration camp was very sad. At the same time, it was extremely informative and forced me think deeply about different aspects about the world in which we live. Mr. Hogan did a wonderful job of explaining some of the surrounding facts and history, as well as providing some intriguing and large questions to ponder. What were the real reasons behind Hitler's actions? How could such an unimaginable tragedy have happened? In exploring the camp and the history, we also explored different thoughts on human nature and behaviour, politics, religion, history, and economics.

Front gate to the camp that says in German, "Work shall set you free."

Model layout of the camp as it stood before April 29 1945, when it was liberated by American troops. Out the window, a memorial from the survivors of the camp, as well as the open gravel courtyard on which prisoners would stand for roll call, sometimes for several hours at a time as a punishment .


A tree-lined walk that also had flowers and other visually appealing vegetation when the camp was in use--part of the image the Nazis wanted to create in order that outsiders would see it as a civilized prison and work camp. Some of these trees were also used by the SS to murder Catholic priests by hanging.

"To remember the dead, to warn the living" A memorial to honor the many who died at this and the many other concentration camps throughout Europe. The man standing at the top of it is a fictitious character--the designers wanted it to be a generic model in attempts to prevent against discrimination and exclusion

While the answers to the kind of questions surrounding the Holocaust are hard to answer and heartbreaking to think about, in a way it also felt important and challenging. It made me reflect on my life and how I fit into a world where such acts of violence and hatred have occurred, and in some places and somewhat similar ways are currently still happening. While I'm not sure I accomplished such a feat, I believe it was a meaningful experience from which I learned a great amount.

One of the most impressive things I learned about Dachau Concentration Camp is that after the Americans liberated the camp in 1945, the survivors of the camp joined together and created the Comité International de Dachau. Since 1965, they have been working to keep Dachau open as a memorial, to honor those who lived and died there, but also in efforts that it would educate future generations and prevent such an atrocity as the Holocaust from ever occurring again. I admire their courage and believe through this they show the human capacity for strength, resilience, and hope.

To see more in depth information regarding Dachau Concentration Camp, including a virtual tour and timeline, among other interesting and informative resources, please visit their website at http://www.kz-gedenkstaette-dachau.de/english.html