Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial

History
In 1933, Heinrich Himmler established the first German Concentration Camp in Dachau. The rules and organisation, as well as the separation of high security prisoners and an SS-command area, set up by the first Camp Commander Theodor Eicke were later used as a model for all further German Concentration Camps.

In the beginning political opponents of the regime were imprisoned here, followed later by various groups such as Jews, homosexuals, Gipsies or clergymen, mainly from the occupied eastern countries. The Camp, that was originally planned for only 5.000 prisoners, eventually held as many as 200.000 people over the 12 years that it was in use.

The prisoners were forced to work - mostly in the German armaments industry - under barbaric conditions or were abused for experiments on humans. Well over 30.000 people were killed or died on transports, through epidemics, torture or mass executions.

On the 29th of April 1945, the Dachau Concentration Camp was liberated by units of the US-Army.

Memorial
After the war, the camp was turned into a memorial. As well as visiting the prisoners quarters, the crematorium and the Bunker, one can also see many pictures and film documentaries.

Opening hours / Prices
Tues - Sun: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
Entrance is free

Other Memorials
Camp cemetery "KZ-Friedhof auf der Leiten "
SS-rifle range Hebertshausen where thousands of Soviet prisoners of war were executed

Address
Alte Römerstr. 75
85221 Dachau
Phone: 08131- 66 99 70
Fax: 08131- 22 35
e-mail: info@kz-gedenkstaette-dachau.de

How to get there
S2 "Dachau" + Bus 724 or 726
B 471

Further information
www.kz-gedenkstaette-dachau.de
www.dachau-online.de/sehen/leit.htm
www.shoa.de/kz_dachau.html