After a very early check-out from our Prague hotel we flew to Munich and then used the train system to get ourselves to the Memorial site of the Dachau Concentration Camp.
Using the trains and buses was quite efficient (once you negotiated the language issue) and we arrived at Dachau about 11.30 am. We spent just over 3 hours walking around the exhibits and camp and found it quite sobering. Although some parts have been reconstructed to illustrate what the conditions might have been like during the 1930s and 1940s (making some parts “cleaner” looking than I am sure they would have been) 
and the location itself seems quite peaceful and pretty now, 
you still got a sense of how absolutely awful it must have been for those condemned to spend time here. It was good to see so many school groups being guided around (I think I read somewhere that it is a compulsory part of the school curriculum for students to visit the camps) so that the history of this place is never forgotten. These photos were the taken at the Crematorium (there are two units but the photos show the newer one Barrack "X") 
and although Dachau was not used routinely for gas extermination it is believed that some experimental gasings occurred as well as a number of executions, (particularly by hanging) and this area was frequently used to cremate those who died of various means within the camp. Also is a photo of the Bunker where interrogations/solitary confinement/torture was carried out 
. Despite it being a warm day this particular section had a cold and creepy feel to it. There were about 120 cells in this block and some were specially adapted "standing only" cells.
and the location itself seems quite peaceful and pretty now, you still got a sense of how absolutely awful it must have been for those condemned to spend time here. It was good to see so many school groups being guided around (I think I read somewhere that it is a compulsory part of the school curriculum for students to visit the camps) so that the history of this place is never forgotten. These photos were the taken at the Crematorium (there are two units but the photos show the newer one Barrack "X") and although Dachau was not used routinely for gas extermination it is believed that some experimental gasings occurred as well as a number of executions, (particularly by hanging) and this area was frequently used to cremate those who died of various means within the camp. Also is a photo of the Bunker where interrogations/solitary confinement/torture was carried out . Despite it being a warm day this particular section had a cold and creepy feel to it. There were about 120 cells in this block and some were specially adapted "standing only" cells.With this reminder of the capacity of human beings to inflict distress on their own kind, we then travelled back out to the airport and caught our flight to Istanbul. Munich airport was becoming more familiar now as it was our third time through in about as many days and we were still amazed by how much time was involved in just clearing security and getting from that point to the allocated departure gate.
No comments:
Post a Comment