Guide to Nazi Concentration Camps and Memorials of WWII near Prague

Concentration camps of World War II near Prague
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The World War II and its horrors should never be forgotten. Nazi final solution and the Jewish question is very important part of the European history – Czech is no exception. I have already written about Lidice and Terezin Memorials individually as well as in the most interesting sightseeing points of interest near Prague. This article is going to look closer on the camps and memorials that are doable as day trips. The furthest from Prague on this list is Auschwitz. Rather than a day trip from Prague it is better to include the visit of Auschwitz on the way to Krakow, however a day trip with return to Prague is available. In the past we even provided transportation from Berlin and Dresden to Auschwitz. Such a tour is not really enjoyable, but can be done for those, who are interested. The article focuses on locations that are not too far and are still enjoyable as day trips.

Naturally it is not a pleasure to visit a concentration camp, yet the memorials are often peaceful and emotional places of interest. The experience you get during the visit is like no other and as written previously, we should never forget about our past and we should learn from it. How better should we learn about the final solution and the Jewish question than seeing the concentration, work and other Nazi camps of World War II in person.

My grandfather survived the Dachau and Buchenwald concentration camps, I feel an urge to concentrate on the topic of WWII, though I promise, the future post will be about more cheerful places to visit.

1. Auschwitz and Birkenau

Auschwitz Birkenau, view of the gate

copyright @ Martin Stich, feel free to use the picture as long as you post a link to the source

Auschwitz concentration camp and memorial day trip from Prague

Auschwitz also known as Oswiecim (Polish name for Auschwitz) lies 460 Km away from Prague. The drive from Prague to Auschwitz takes approximately 4 hours and 45 minutes and it is by far the furthest camp on the list. Doing a day trip from Prague is possible, yet as written above it is better to incorporate the visit to Auschwitz in a trip from Prague to Krakow or custom itinerary and have a bit more relaxed schedule. Visit of the camp needs at least 4 hours. Both camps that are located near each other require decent amount of time to be explored. It is possible to enter the camp for free, however booking a guide is recommended. Engaging of the Auschwitz guide is charged according to the price list. The tours are offered in many languages, individual tourists are not required to book a guide, whereas groups have to book a guided tour. It is recommended to book the guided tour with at least 1 month notice. The camp is extremely busy throughout the season. The Museum is open all year long, seven days a week, except January 1, December 25, and Easter Sunday. The visit requires plenty of walking and it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes. During hot summer days definitely not forget sun glasses and a sun cap. There are not many shelters to hide away from the direct sun. All tours and tickets can be booked at the official Auschwitz booking engine.

Why Auschwitz?

  •  the symbol of the Holocaust as well as Nazi crimes against Poles, Romas and other minorities
  • Auschwitz has become a symbol of terror, genocide and hatred
  • originally the Auschwitz camp meant to be a prison for Poles, later in 1942+ it became one of the worst extermination camps of the WWII
  • most of the victims were killed by the Zyklon B, others were murdered, shot or killed to death by constant hunger and poor hygiene conditions
  • the permanent exhibition includes Commemoration signs, Extermination, Evidence of crime, Life of prisoners, Living conditions, Death block, Death Wall, Gas chamber I, Central camp baths

Facts & Figures

  • the gates of the Auschwitz were closed behind over 1 million lives of mostly Jewish people
  • during the Nuremberg process Rudolf Hös – the Nazi leader of the Auschwitz – claimed over 3 million people were killed in Oswiecim camps
  • camp was established in 1939 short after the Nazi invasion to Poland

Auschwitz Online – useful links:

Official website, Opening hours, Guided tours

How to book private trip from Prague to Auschwitz?

Should you be interested in organizing a private car service from Prague to Auschwitz, please email us or book at our other website. Eventually to inquire about the tailor made transportation that can include visit to Auschwitz, feel free to fill out the tailor request.

 

2. Buchenwald Memorial

Buchenwald prison

Original Source – Photo of Buchenwald prisoners

Buchenwald day trip from Prague

Buchenwald can be found about 355 Kilometers away from Prague. The journey takes about three and half hours and it is recommended to spend at least 3 hours in Buchenwald. The guided tour in the camp is provided in German and the cost is 80 Euro per person (as for 2018 season). Individual tourists do NOT need reservation. English (and other languages) audio guides are available to rent for a small fee. Individual tourists can join other groups for guided tour in chosen language. Additional waiting may be required since the memorial is very busy (+15 minutes). Individual tourists can explore the Memorial on their own following the audio guide. Tour of Buchenwald is not available on Monday. The Buchenwald camp is also closed December 24 to 26, December 31 and January 1. Since the camp is located on a hill with elevation nearly 480 meters, it is recommended to wear warm clothes and good shoes.

Why Buchenwald?

  • founded in 1937 near the city of Weimar
  • the camp’s name becomes a synonym of the Nazi Crime and horrors
  • in August 1945 the occupying Soviet forces converted the Nazi concentration camp into a prison for Nazi and German functionaries
  • plenty of permanent exhibitions are available
  • visit includes many parts: gate, detention cells, watchtowers, roll call square, inmates canteen, crematorium, stone cart and hanging post, Goethe Oak, disinfection station, experimentation barrack, little camp, wooden barrack and inmates’ infimary

Facts and Figures

  • according to the jewishvirtuallibrary.org 238,980 people went through the Buchenwald concentration camps.
  • same source claims that 33,462 people died in the Buchenwald camp. The figures do not include people killed during the transportation, beaten to death and other murdered victims. Basically the figures include official numbers registered in the hospital.
  • source at wikipedia claims that there were about 56,545 deaths, which is a horrifying ratio of almost 25% casualties

Buchenwald Online – useful links:

Official website, Opening hours, Practical information, FAQ’s

How to book private trip from Prague to Buchenwald?

Should you be interested in organizing a private car service from Prague to Buchenwald, please email us or book at our other website.

3. Dachau Concentration Camp

Dachau Day Trip from Prague

Original photo by “ho visto nina volare” – Barbara Caffi – source

Dachau day trip from Prague

Dachau is located north west from Munich, approximately 380 Km away from Prague. The drive from Prague is roughly 4 hours. It is possible to visit Dachau in a day trip from Prague or as part of a transfer from Munich to Prague or vice versa from Prague to Munich with additional stop in Dachau. The entrance to the camp is free. Camp is closed on Mondays. Groups are required to hire a certified guide – can be booked at the camp too – it is strongly recommended to book a guide in advance. Typically it is also recommended to wear comfortable shoes as Dachau covers relatively large area to explore. Audio guides can be rented on the spot. Audio guides are provided with a map of the Dachau camp complex.

Why Dachau?

  • Dachau was the first concentration camp in Germany, it was built for political prisoners (March 22,1933)
  • in 1935 Germany legalized racism against minorities such as homosexuals, emigrants, Jehova’s witnesses etc. and those were officially persecuted
  • in 1938 the camp is extended and Jewish, Romas and other minor races are moved here from the annexed territories
  • Dachau served as a prototype and model for other Nazi concentration camps around Europe
  • the Dachau camp was a training center for SS concentration camp guards
  • medical experiments were performed on prisoners

Facts and Figures

  • the camp was operated from 1933 to 1945
  • over 188,000 prisoners went through Dachau
  • over 32,000 confirmed documented deaths – according to the experience with other camps the number is lower than the real number of victims

Dachau Online – useful links:

Official site, Opening times, Jewish Virtual LibraryWikipedia

How to book private trip from Prague to Dachau?

Should you be interested in organizing a private car service from Prague to Dachau, please email us or book at our other website. Eventually it is possible to book a side trip to Dachau on the way between Munich and Prague and other EU cities.

4. Flossenburg Work and Concentration Camp

Copyright @ Martin Stich (as captured by old NOKIA N95 :D), feel free to use the picture as needed as long as you provide credit and link to the original source

Flossenburg day trip from Prague

Flossenburg or Flossenbuerg (original German name Flossenbürg) concentration camp can be found about 2 hours and 20 minutes west from Prague not too far from the Czech border. It is situated near the highway to Munich, Regensburg, Amberg and Nuremberg and thus it is a perfect stop on the way between Prague and the listed cities. Flossenburg can be done in a day trip from Prague, but we also provide day trips from Pilsen and Karlovy Vary. On December 24th, 25th, 26th and 31st and on January 1st the Memorial is closed. From December through March the crematorium is not accessible. Admission to the Memorial grounds and the exhibitions is free of charge. The camp is relatively small compared to other listed venues, however it is still recommended to wear comfortable shoes.

Why Flossenbuerg?

  • originally the camp was built as a prison for antisocial and criminal prisoners, later the forced labor in nearby quarries was required and thus all minorities including German, were imprisoned in Flossenburg
  • it is possible to visit following buildings and parts of the camp: Main Gate, Roll Call Grounds, SS Canteen, SS Headquarters, Death Valley, Pyramid of Ashes, Cemetery of Honor, Square of Nations, Detention Barracks, Chapel, Crematorium, Jewish Memorial and also see the original watch towers and other official Gestapo buildings
  • the memorial is very emotional place, the respect and remembrance is shown in a very reasonable way

Facts and Figures

  • the camp was operated from 1938 to 1945
  • over 96,000 prisoners went through the Flossenburg
  • over 30,000 confirmed documented deaths

Flossenburg Online – useful links:

Official siteOpening timesWikipedia

How to book private trip from Prague to Flossenburg?

Should you be interested in organizing a private car service from Prague to Flossenburg, please email us or book at our other website. Eventually it is possible to book a side trip to Flossenburg on the way between Munich and Prague, Regensburg and Prague, Prague and Nuremberg or Frankfurt, day trips are also available from Karlovy Vary and Pilsen and other Czech cities on request.

5. Lidice day trip from Prague

Lidice Memorial Day Trip

Children Victims of World War II monument – copyright Martin Stich – feel free to use the picture as long as you provide credit and link to the original source

Lidice Memorial

Full review of Lidice Memorial and tour in pictures can be found in one of my older posts.

6. Mauthausen Concentration camp and the Memorial

Mauthausen Memorial Day trip

Photo by Patrik Bouska – driver of the European Transfers – feel free to use the photo as long as you provide credit to the author and link to the original post

Mauthausen day trip from Prague

The Memorial in Mauthausen is approximately 250 Km away from Prague, the journey takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes. We often include visit to Mauthausen memorial on the way to Vienna and Salzburg along with a visit of Cesky Krumlov. Visit of the memorial requires a minimum 2 hours, but it is recommended to spend at least 3 hours. The camp is closed 24.12. – 26.12., 31.12. and 01.01.. Admission is free. Guided tours are available. Price list of the guided tours can be found at the official website. It is possible to rent an audio guide and explore the Memorial in Mauthausen on your own. The cost of the audio guide is 3 Euro (as for 2018). The camp is large and thus wear comfortable shoes. A day trip from Prague is doable and include a few more sightseeing along the way. Typically guests visit the Mauthausen during scenic transfers between Prague and Vienna, Vienna and Salzburg, Vienna and Hallstatt, Prague and Salzburg, but also during the drives from Budapest to Salzburg, Prague or Munich. Custom itineraries allow freedom of choice and it is possible to visit the Memorial during multiple day private hire across Europe.

Why Mauthausen?

  • From 1938 to 1945 the Mauthausen concentration camp was at the centre of a system of over 40 sub-camps and was the main site of political, social and racist persecution by the National Socialist regime on Austrian territory.
  • On 8 August 1938 the SS transferred the first prisoners from the Dachau concentration camp
  • In December 1939 the SS ordered founded a second concentration camp a few kilometers from Mauthausen. The Gusen camp started operating in May 1940.
  • Mauthausen and Gusen were the concentration camps with the harshest imprisonment conditions and the highest mortality
  • those who were sick, in poor condition or not able to work were in constant danger of being sent to the death chambers

Facts and Figures

  • out of 190,000 prisoners over 90,000 died officially
  • on 5 May 1945 the US Army reached Gusen and Mauthausen
  •  in March 1945 the total number of SS officials was more than 5,000 in the main camp alone, with a further 4,000 stationed in the sub-camps

Mauthausen Online – useful links:

Official website, Opening Hours, Jewish Library

How to book private trip from Prague to Mauthausen?

Should you be interested in organizing a private trip from Prague to Mauthausen, please email us or book at our other website. Eventually it is possible to book a side trip to Mauthausen on the way between Prague and Salzburg, Vienna or Linz, eventually Budapest. The day trips from Salzburg, Vienna, Hallstatt and Budapest are available on request.

7. Terezin Memorial

Terezin Memorial Gate

Step by Step through the Small Fortress – the main attractions of the Terezin Memorial – Copyright Martin Stich – feel free to use the picture, please provide credit and link back to the original

Terezin Memorial Day Trip

The Terezin Memorial has been reviewed individually. The tour of Terezin in pictures is available in my previous article.

8. Other concentration camps to visit in Europe

Looking at the topic of the concentration camps from the point of view of being able to do a day trip from Prague, there are several more options.

  • Dora – Nordhausen concentration camp near Buchenwald in Germany
  • Ebensee concentration camp in Austria near Salzburg and Linz
  • Sachsenhausen Oranienburg in Germany near Berlin

We often do a trip to Sachsenhausen on the way from Berlin to Prague or on the way from Berlin to Warnemunde the sea cruise port near Rostock in the northern Germany. All concentration camps can be visited with a private chauffeur and car on the disposal upon request.

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