I cannot say that Dachau was a "highlight" of my trip. I can say, however, that being there was one of my most memorable experiences.
I pray...as I did that day...that we may learn to love each other...regardless of race...color..or creed. Love is the only thing that can save us...
On March 22, 1933, the first German concentration camp was set up near Dachau on the grounds of a former ammunition factory. Political opponents, Jews, clergymen and other "undesirable elements" were to be isolated there as enemies to the National- Socialist regime.
The camp office files show a total of more than 206,000 prisoners were registered between 1933 and 1945. Many were also taken there without being registered so the exact figures are unknown.
The sign at the visitors entrance
As we entered the memorial, we were "greeted" by barbed wire.
One of several watchtowers
The Jourhaus was the only entrance to the camp. As the prisoners arrived, the were greeted by the slogan "arbeit macht frei" (work makes one free). In reality...the work drove them to exhaustion or killed them.
The International Memorial
The Unknown Prisoner
The Memorials
Europe 2 Index
