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KZ Buchenwald
The Buchenwald Memorial near Weimar commemorates one of the largest Nazi concentration camps on German soil. Between 1937 and 1945, more than 250,000 people from over 50 nations were imprisoned here, of whom an estimated 56,000 were murdered or died due to inhumane conditions. While not an extermination camp like Auschwitz, the policy of 'annihilation through labor' in nearby armament factories claimed countless lives. After liberation by US troops in April 1945, the site was used from 1945 to 1950 by the Soviet occupation forces as Special Camp No. 2, where thousands more perished. Today, the memorial encompasses the former camp grounds, the crematorium, the bell tower, and extensive exhibitions on the site's history. The GDR national memorial, inaugurated in 1958, is particularly striking for its heroization of anti-fascist resistance. Buchenwald serves as a somber place of remembrance, warning of the depths of German history and the responsibility to uphold human dignity.
- Location: Thuringia, Germany
- Top sights: Zoological Garden of th SS · Buchenwald Memorial · The Depot
- Nearby: Weimar (7 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 | 19 | 14 | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| Rain mm | 51 | 37 | 44 | 35 | 68 | 60 | 77 | 61 | 56 | 48 | 54 | 54 |
📋 Practical info
History & landmarks
ww2
1937–1945
Geography
Facts
- Operation of the concentration camp from 1937 to 1945
- Liberation by the 3rd US Army on April 11, 1945
- Estimated number of deaths amounts to 56,000
- Used as a Soviet Special Camp from 1945 to 1950
- Inauguration of the memorial on the Ettersberg in 1958
- Imprisonment of inmates from over 50 different nations
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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Sights in the town KZ Buchenwald (10)
Permanent Exhibition on the History of Soviet Special Camp No. 2🏛 museum
Exhibition about the Soviet special camp No. 2 on the site.
SS officers' colony
Ruins of the housing colony for SS officers of the camp.
SS falcon yard
Ruins of a falconry operated by the SS.
Großer Ettersberg
Mountain in Thuringia, site of the Buchenwald memorial.
Buchenwaldturm
Bell tower of the Buchenwald memorial, a commemorative symbol.
Ringwallanlage Brunfthof
Circular rampart north of Weimar in Thuringia, an archaeological site.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Buchenwald Memorial located?
Does visiting the memorial cost entry?
Is there an age recommendation for visitors?
How to get to Buchenwald from Weimar?
What rules of conduct apply on-site?
KZ Buchenwald: where is it located?
KZ Buchenwald: what is there to see?
KZ Buchenwald: when is the best time to visit?
KZ Buchenwald: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
