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KZ Dachau
The Dachau concentration camp was established in March 1933, only a few weeks after the National Socialists came to power, on the site of a former munitions factory. As the first permanent camp, it served as a model for all subsequent concentration camps and as a training ground for the SS guard units. Under the leadership of Theodor Eicke, a system of terror was developed here aimed at the systematic dehumanization of prisoners. During its twelve years of existence, over 200,000 people from across Europe were imprisoned in Dachau and its numerous subcamps. The official number of deaths is estimated at at least 41,500, though the actual figure is likely higher due to the death marches at the end of the war. On April 29, 1945, U.S. troops liberated the camp and encountered horrific conditions. Since 1965, the site has housed the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site, which is visited by hundreds of thousands of people annually to remember the victims and document the history of the Holocaust.
- Location: Bavaria, Germany
- Top sights: Badeplatz Neuhimmelreich · Erholungsgebiet Karlsfelder See · Bezirksmuseum Dachau
- Nearby: Unterschleißheim (10 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| Rain mm | 63 | 47 | 53 | 51 | 96 | 96 | 100 | 100 | 66 | 60 | 54 | 59 |
📋 Practical info
History & landmarks
ww2
1933–1945
Geography
Facts
- Opened on March 22, 1933, as the first state concentration camp.
- Over 200,000 registered prisoners between 1933 and 1945.
- At least 41,500 people died due to murder, starvation, and disease.
- Liberated by the 42nd and 45th Infantry Divisions of the US Army on April 29, 1945.
- Development of the Dachau model for camp organization by Theodor Eicke.
- Opening of the memorial site in 1965 on the initiative of former prisoners.
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Notable places around
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Sights in the town KZ Dachau (6)
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
How far is the Dachau Memorial from Munich?
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KZ Dachau: where is it located?
KZ Dachau: what is there to see?
KZ Dachau: when is the best time to visit?
KZ Dachau: why is it worth visiting?
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