jj100

We are planning our trip to Germany. We will be in the Berlin and Munich areas and are looking at which concentration camp to visit. Would Sachsenhausen near Berlin or Dachau near Munich be a better choice?

P_M

The only one I've been to is Dachau so I can't give you a comparison. I can tell you that Dachau is very moving and really brings home the suffering of the people we lost. I am glad you are going, I think everyone should visit a concentration camp at least once. We must never forget.

traveldawg

I have been to Dachau twice...once in 1970 while in the US Army, another time in 2001. It is very moving. I have not been to the other site. When I was in Germany in the 70s the citizens of Dachau did not want a Dachau license plate on their car. (It has a DH if registered there). They would find an address in Munich to use to avoid being harassed at border stops.

Dukey

Be aware that a lot of Dachau has been "reconstructed" that is, the so-called "barracks" where prisoners were housed..a couple of these have been re-created to give visitors an idea of what conditions were like.

However, the "main" building has many exhibits including large size photographs taken at the time. In one of the rooms are photographs of some of the torture/punishment methods employed..graphic and even more so when you suddenly realize you are standing in the very room where the photo was taken!

Worth a trip IMO if this sort of thing really interests you.

Mainhattengirl

I have been to Sachsenhausen, but not Dachau. Many of the buildings there are originals and the entire place is very moving to visit. I think if you are going to visit there, that you could also go and visit Ravensbruck Camp which is very close by. This was the womens camp.

http://www.stiftung-bg.de/gums/en/index.htm

http://www.ravensbrueck.de/mgr/neu/english/index.htm

billbarr

JJ, similar to Mainhattengirl I too have been to Sachenhausen but not Dachau. Here is an excellent thread about Sachenhausen which might influence your decision one way or the other. To be frank, no matter which you choose, you will be very moved:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ausen-camp.cfm

Bill

Woyzeck

I agree with billbar. I have been to Dachau twice and to Buchenwald twice. It was very powerful and moving each time. I don't think it is a matter of which is a better choice. Take a look at your schedule in each city, what you want to see, and then read a little about each and go with your gut feeling.

Paragkash

I have been to Dacau and Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland.
Though Dacau Barracks are not there, they have one reconstructed Barrack.
I found Dacau more touching and a moving experience.
Make sure that you eat well before you go.
My wife wasn't able to eat for quite some time after Dacau>
It's a must see.

hausfrau

I have only been to Dachau. I agree with others - either one will be an unforgettable experience, so choose the one that makes the most sense for your trip, and be sure to devote adequate time to your visit.

The new exhibit at Dachau is excellent. I believe it was installed in the last 5 or 6 years. If you want to truly understand Hitler's rise to power and the resulting atrocities, and you have the time to spend absorbing the exhibit, you will not regret visiting this place. We planned to spend a couple of hours and were there for at least five. Try to go during the week when it is more peaceful.

tomboy

Paragkash: how is Dachau different from Auschwitz? I've been to the latter, not Dachau. We wandered thru Auschwitz for probably 4=5 hours; I suspect we went in each building. My spouse read the text in each and every display. Amazing how thorough those Nazis were in their documentation. I don't know how Ahmidinejad, or any other denier, can dispute the Holocaust in the face of SO much evidence.

alihutch

Is it just me, but isn't there something judt a tad tasteless about the title of this thread.....? which hotel? which concentration camp?

LSky

I thought so too alihutch, yet, I clicked on it.

The Jewish Museum and monument in Berlin is extremely interesting and moving. A concentration camp is just not for me.

hhildebrandt

If you have the chance to do, watch "Aus einem deutschen Leben" (aka "Death is my trade").

alihutch

LSky, I don't feel that going to a concentration camp is a problem for me, but trying to find which one will give the best experience makes me feel rather queasy..

Jimingso

I'm sure jj meant no offense, but I agree.

"Which Concentration Camp?" sounds too much like "Epcot or the Magic Kingdom?"

NanBug

I've been to both -- Dachau twice and Sachsenhausen once.

Both were incredibly moving, of course, and you'll carry the experience of your visit to either place with you for years.

If I had to choose just one place to visit, I'd pick Sachsenhausen. It felt less polished and preserved than Dachau. It was haunting and desolate, and quite a bit more raw and spiritual than Dachau. To me, anyway. Others may have had a different experience.

But, a visit to either camp will change your life forever.