Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum is a sobering and essential historical site located just outside Berlin. It was one of the first concentration camps established by the Third Reich and served as a model for all others. Today, it stands as a place of remembrance and education.
What to expect at Sachsenhausen Camp
Visiting Sachsenhausen is a heavy, emotional experience. Unlike traditional museums, this is an open-air memorial site that spans a vast area.
- The “Tower A” Entrance: You will enter through the ominous iron gate bearing the slogan “Arbeit macht frei” (“Work sets you free”). This tower was the headquarters of the SS camp administration.
- Roll-Call Area: A massive semi-circular area where prisoners were forced to stand for hours in all weather conditions for head counts.
- Barracks: While most original barracks are gone, a few have been reconstructed to show the cramped, inhumane living conditions.
- Station Z: This was the site’s execution facility, including a gas chamber and crematorium. It is now a quiet, dignified memorial space.
- Pathology Building: You can visit the preserved cellar where medical experiments were conducted on prisoners.
- Soviet Special Camp: The site was also used by the Soviets after WWII. A separate museum section details this later history (1945–1950).
- Atmosphere: Expect a quiet, respectful atmosphere. The site is largely exposed to the elements, making it feel desolate in winter and scorching in summer.
Where to book tickets
- Entry is Free: There is no entrance fee to visit the Sachsenhausen Memorial on your own. You do not need to book a ticket in advance for general entry.
- Audio Guides: These can be rented at the Visitor Information Centre at the entrance.
- Guided Tours:
Official Memorial Tours: Public guided tours are occasionally offered by the memorial itself (check their website for the current schedule).
Third-Party Tours: Many visitors prefer booking a guided tour from Berlin via platforms like GetYourGuide, Viator, or Insider Tour. These often include transportation from Berlin and an expert guide.
Sachsenhausen Memorial ticket prices and Tours
- General Admission: €0.00 (Free).
- Audio Guide Rental: Approximately €3.00. (Highly recommended if you are not with a guide, as signage is informative but the audio guide adds depth).
- Official Public Tours: If available, these cost roughly €15.00 per person.
- Private/Group Tours from Berlin: Prices typically range from €20.00 to €45.00 per person. These tours usually meet in central Berlin and include the train ticket or private bus transport.
Meeting Point
- For Individual Visitors: The meeting point is simply the Visitor Information Centre (Besucherinformationszentrum) located at the main entrance of the memorial.
- For Third-Party Tours: If you booked a tour starting from Berlin, the meeting point is usually a major train station like Hackescher Markt, Brandenburger Tor, or Berlin Hauptbahnhof. Check your specific booking confirmation carefully.
How to reach Sachsenhausen camp
The camp is located in Oranienburg, a town about 35 km north of Berlin.
By Train (S-Bahn/Regional):
- Take the S1 (S-Bahn) or RE5 (Regional Train) to Oranienburg station. The RE5 is faster (approx. 25 mins from Hauptbahnhof), while the S1 takes about 45 mins.
- Ticket: You need a Berlin ABC ticket (Zones A, B, and C).
From Oranienburg Station to Memorial:
- Walk: It is a 20-minute walk from the station. The route is well-signposted with brown signs reading “Gedenkstätte.”
- Bus: Take Bus 804 (direction Malz) or Bus 821 (direction Tiergarten) from outside the station to the stop “Sachsenhausen Gedenkstätte.”
Sachsenhausen Camp’s timings
- Summer (March 15 – October 14): Daily 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM.
- Winter (October 15 – March 14): Daily 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
- Museums Indoors: Note that while the open-air grounds are open daily, the indoor museums (exhibitions inside buildings) are closed on Mondays during the winter season.
How long does the tour take
- Self-Guided: Plan for 2 to 3 hours. The site is large, and walking between the different sections (kitchen, barracks, Station Z) takes time.
- Guided Tour: Most tours from Berlin last 5 to 6 hours in total (including the 1-hour travel time each way).
- Deep Dive: If you listen to every audio guide entry and read all museum texts, you could easily spend 4 hours.
Best time to visit Sachsenhausen Camp
- Weather: The site is very exposed. Spring and Autumn are comfortable.
- Avoid High Summer: Mid-day in July/August can be grueling as there is very little shade on the roll-call grounds.
- Winter Visits: Visiting in winter (January/February) is physically cold but atmospherically powerful. The grey sky and biting cold give a tiny glimpse into the suffering of the prisoners. Dress extremely warmly.
- Time of Day: Arriving right at 8:30 AM ensures a quiet experience before the large tour groups arrive around 10:30 AM.
FAQs about Sachsenhausen Museum
1. Is it suitable for children?
The memorial recommends a minimum age of 12 years. The content is graphic, disturbing, and difficult to process. Parents should use discretion.
2. Is there a dress code?
There is no strict dress code, but visitors are asked to dress respectfully (no offensive slogans, swimwear, etc.). Practically, you must wear comfortable walking shoes as the ground is uneven, gravelly, and vast.
3. Is there food available?
There is a small Café in the “New Museum” building near the entrance, offering coffee and light snacks. However, selections are limited. It is advisable to bring a water bottle and a small snack, especially in summer.
4. Can I take photos?
Yes, photography is permitted for private use. However, you are strictly asked to maintain dignity and respect. Selfies, jumping photos, or smiling poses in front of execution sites or ovens are considered highly inappropriate and offensive.
5. Is it wheelchair accessible?
Mostly, yes. The visitor center and museums have ramps/elevators. However, the outdoor grounds can be difficult due to gravel paths and cobblestones. Wheelchairs can be borrowed at the visitor center (reservation recommended).
