We went on a tour, which was nice because we had a tour guide to give us more information on the camp and was responsible for getting us to and from the camp, but we really didn't have that much time to look through the museum. I'd suggest simply figuring out the S-bahn and buying the 3 euro ticket to the camp.
Something I was unaware of was that Dachau was in fact a work camp, not a killing camp like Auschwitz, its main purpose was for working people. However, killing happened here too, of course. A lot of the camp was burned down during the liberation, but some survivors actually raised money to rebuild and restore the camp so outsiders could see the terror that the Nazis put them through. All the housing bunkers burned down, and two replicas were built, and the mail building of Dachau has been turned into a museum.
I also learned that is it required for all German students to visit a concentration camp during their schooling. A group of students was actually there when we were. I think that is probably good of the German government, not only teach them about history but also make them see it instead of trying to cover up the past.
We walked through the museum and saw the room where the victims were stripped of their humanity and were given numbers. We saw where they were tortured for being different. We saw where they were housed, in bunks 3 high and 9 across, squished like sardines. Finally, we saw the crematorium, where under the false promise of a shower, thousands died for no reason at all.
We had seen these grand buildings and monuments all over Germany, and thought, "look at what humans are capable of: such unique and intricate designs," then walked into Dachau and thought "look at what humans are capable of: such sheer, unwarranted hatred."
I think everyone should experience visiting a concentration camp because no matter how terrible and unfair you think your life is, at the end of the day, you know it could be a lot worse.
(Work Makes one Free)
No comments:
Post a Comment