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Mittelbau-Dora Memorial
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The Mittelbau-Dora Concentration Camp Memorial near Nordhausen in Thuringia commemorates one of the cruelest chapters of Nazi armaments production during World War II. Originally founded as a subcamp of Buchenwald, it became an independent concentration camp in 1944, where inmates were forced under murderous conditions to produce the 'Vengeance Weapon 2' (V2) in underground tunnels. Prisoners had to excavate the vast tunnel system in the Kohnstein mountain and live and work there without daylight, adequate food, or sanitary facilities. Over 60,000 people from across Europe were interned here, of whom an estimated one in three did not live to see liberation. Today, the memorial includes the former camp grounds, the crematorium, and parts of the impressive tunnel systems, which can be visited during guided tours. The exhibition in the documentation center highlights forced labor in the service of rocket technology and serves as a warning against the instrumentalization of science and technology for criminal purposes.
- Location: Thuringia, Germany
- Top sights: St. Nicolai · Alter Gipsbrennofen, Firma Steuerlein · Streichelzoo
- Nearby: Ellrich (11 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 | 3 | 8 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| Rain mm | 47 | 33 | 42 | 35 | 65 | 56 | 76 | 60 | 54 | 47 | 50 | 50 |
📋 Practical info
History & landmarks
ww2
1943–1945
Geography
Facts
- The Nazi V2 rockets were produced at the Mittelbau-Dora site.
- Over 60,000 prisoners were interned here between 1943 and 1945.
- The underground tunnels in the Kohnstein have a total length of around 20 kilometers.
- An estimated 20,000 people died as a result of the inhumane working conditions.
- The camp was liberated in April 1945 by troops of the US Army.
- Wernher von Braun was significantly involved in planning the production at this facility.
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.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Mittelbau-Dora Memorial (10)
Wildgehege
The wildlife enclosure houses native wild animals in a fenced area.
Park Hohenrode🌳 park
Park Hohenrode is a park in Germany with old trees.
Kalkberg
Kalkberg is a mountain or hill in the vicinity of Mittelbau-Dora.
Wartturm
The Wartturm is a historic observation or watchtower in the region.
Schneitelbuchen
Schneitelbuchen are beeches historically shaped by pollarding in the landscape.
Salzaquellbad
Salzaquellbad is an outdoor pool fed by spring water near Nordhausen.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
What was Mittelbau-Dora?
Can you visit the tunnel system?
Is there an entrance fee for the memorial?
How much time should I plan for the visit?
Is there a minimum age for the tunnel tour?
Mittelbau-Dora Memorial: where is it located?
Mittelbau-Dora Memorial: what is there to see?
Mittelbau-Dora Memorial: when is the best time to visit?
Mittelbau-Dora Memorial: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
