I searched Fodor's for people who have visited Breendonk Concentration Camp in Belgium. I got no hits. Have any of you been to this one or to Westerbork in N. Netherlands?

Tamara, even though I live about half an hour away from Breendonk, I have never visited. The website www.breendonk.be is good. I really must visit it sometime.

Tulips, my friend and I are planning on going Monday, March 27. We picked this date because most museums are closed anyway. If you'd like to join us you are warmly welcomed!(is that odd to invite you along? I don't think so. Making friends is great and if you're a local, even better!)

Hi
I visited Breendonk many years ago. It was my introduction to the halocaust camps. It is small compared to the other camps I've seen, but nontheless I can still recall the wall where people were shot and the place where the gallows were. It was more of a transit camp if I recall. It made an impression on me.

Hi Tamara; thanks for the invite! I think I might go one day with the children when they're off school. It would be interesting for them too I think (the eldest is in high school). Do post a trip report!
If you are interested in the history of the Jewish people in Belgium, there is a Jewish quarter in Antwerp; one of the largest communities of orthodox Jews in Europe. I once had a tour there, and found it fascinating. Many of their families came to Antwerp in the 19th century from Eastern Europe, planning to take the boat the America. When they were not allowed to board, they settled in Antwerp. Even after the deportations during the war, there is still a large community there.

We just visited Breendonk in January. I have never been to any of the large infamous concentration camps, so, like someone else mentioned, it was a good "introduction." The majority of people imprisoned at Breendonk were members of the Resistance as opposed to Jews (there was a separate area for Jews in transit). Anyway, it is a self-guided tour, you get a set of headphones and there are numbers posted along the way as well as posters with photographs that go along with the stories being told. I thought it was a very well done presentation. I don't know that I would fly all the way to Europe to see it, but if you're in Antwerp or Brussels anyway, it's a very interesting side trip. I think the admission with headphones was something like 6 euros, and it took about 2 hours to do the complete tour. The fort is not heated or air conditioned, and we got quite cold during our January visit. And I think you walk about 1.5 miles or something, albeit slowly.

Tulips, we live near Brussels as well, although no kids. Hubby and I are both 30. Send me an e-mail if you want to chat or know of anything interesting going on nearby! My e-mail address is the same as my screen name at hotmail.com

Carrie

Along the same lines, I found the Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam absolutely fascinating.

Not travelling just for the camp. But I thought that as a Jew, it is my responsibility to go and pay my respects by visiting. I also considered going to Westerbork which is N. of Amsterdam. My travel friend and I had considered doing a 2 day trip into Germany to go to a bigger camp but the time and cost were not worth it; besides, someday I plan on doing a Poland trip to see my ancestor's homeland. Oh, by the way, my grandmother came via Antwerp to America in 1923. She was 9 at the time. I have copies of all her travel documents actually.

Tamara, there was an exhibition at the 'Steen', the Antwerp castle on the river Schelde, about those emigrating to the US. Very interesting. I don't think the same exhibition is on at the moment, but the area were they boarded, and where they were checked for any diseases, is right there.

LSUVetgirl; I'm closer to Antwerp. Breendonk is about half way between Brussels and Antwerp.

Hi
I thought it was touching that you wanted to go and visit Breendonk. I have visited camps and old Jewish cemeteries to pay my respects. I'm in my early 60's now and sometimes feel that after a while no one will visit to pay respect.