Destination guide for the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site
History
The concentration camp in Dachau was established in 1933, and it was initially a site for political prisoners. It later became a model for other concentration camps across Europe. Throughout its 12-year history, the Dachau Concentration Camp held more than 200,000 people, of whom 41,500 were murdered. American troops liberated the camp on April 29, 1945.
It has been 4 months since I visited the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site, and I am still processing the experience. I continue to struggle to find the right words, if there even are any, to describe what it felt like to walk those hallowed grounds: visiting the former camp prison, walking the path where the barracks once stood, viewing the exhibition that details the horrific and tragic events of the Holocaust, and passing through the crematorium. It was a solemn and profoundly moving experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to honor the memory of the thousands who lost their lives there.
Visiting the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site
The Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site is situated in the town of Dachau, located near Munich. The site is open daily except on December 24th. When visiting the memorial site, guests can explore various areas, including the camp gate, the camp prison, a reconstructed bunker, and the crematorium. Inside the former maintenance building, a series of exhibits detail the lives and fates of the prisoners through drawings, biographies, photographs, letters, and more. Additional exhibits are located within the camp prison, the reconstructed bunker, and the crematorium.
The Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site can be visited independently or as part of a guided tour. As I was lodging in Munich, I initially considered joining a tour that departed from there, as I was concerned about transportation logistics. Ultimately, I opted to go solo, which turned out to be a great decision. This is an emotionally and mentally challenging site to visit, so I appreciated having the opportunity to go at my own pace and take breaks as needed.
When you arrive at the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site, your first stop will be the visitor center. Here you can pick up a map of the site, rent an audio guide, or sign up for a guided tour. Audio guides are available in numerous languages and can be rented for a fee. The guided tours are offered three times a day, once in German and twice in English. I rented an audio guide, which was very informative, and there were numerous informational boards and captions throughout the site, so I don’t feel like I missed out by forgoing the guided tour.
Parking at the memorial site is very limited; therefore, it is highly recommended that guests use public transportation. Many visitors to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site travel from Munich, and the journey can easily be made via train and bus. For my visit, I started by taking the S2 train from the station located in Marienplatz, and upon arriving at Dachau, I took bus 726 to the site. The train ride was approximately 25 minutes long, and the bus ride was a short 10 minutes.
For those who prefer not to deal with public transit and would like a guided tour option, several companies offer tours departing from Munich. Before booking a tour, ensure that the Education Department of the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site has licensed the company.
There is no admission fee to this site. Audio guides can be rented for €5, and the guided tours are €4. Note that when renting an audio guide, you are required to provide a valid driver’s license, which will be returned when you bring back the guide.
There is a considerable amount of walking, mainly outdoors, so wear comfortable walking shoes and dress accordingly. Take an umbrella or rain jacket if inclement weather is forecasted.
Improvements have been made to make the memorial site accessible, and most buildings now have ramps. Visitors can also rent wheelchairs and e-mobile scooters.
A visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site can take from a few hours to half a day, depending on how much time you’d like to spend exploring the grounds, reading the exhibit materials, and reflecting on the events that transpired there. I spent about 3.5 hours at the memorial site.
After you finish exploring the site, the Visitor Center has a small cafeteria where you can rest and purchase water, coffee, or a snack.
Photography is allowed at the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site, but guests are asked to be mindful given the solemn nature of the place. I will not be sharing photos of the crematorium or the sites around it out of respect for the many who inhumanely lost their lives at Dachau.
Resources
For more information, please visit the website for the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site.
2 COMMENTS
Alicia
3 months agoYour site is lovely, interesting and helpful.
Erika Maria
3 months ago AUTHORThank you Alicia for the kind words and feedback. I am glad you enjoy my website and find it helpful!