For any traveler to Berlin it will be of value to dedicate his time and see historical places and places that are associated with the Holocaust in general. One must not forget that Berlin was the capital of Germany, or rather Nazi Germany, and it was an important factor during the worse time in our history. The following is an exhaustive list of some of the Holocaust sites in Berlin and brief overview of each’s role and relevance in the history.

1. Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Established for visitors and Berliners – the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe or holocaust memorial is very special. This memorial situ is placed near Brandenburg Gate and is constructed by 2,711 concrete slabs of different heights. While passing through the mirror-like corridors and narrow halls, one is exposed to a heavy and depressing mood that is a sign of hopelessness of victims of holocaust.

Tips:

• It is critical to quietly wander around the memorial to contemplate and ponder for a while.
• Go to the underworld to get more information on holocaust as well as those who perished in the tragic event.
• Treat this place with dignity and listen to the nun educating the visitors how quiet the place should remain.

2. Topography of Terror

The Topography of Terror is a combination of open air and indoor museum situated at the former locations of the Gestapo and SS headquarters. This site offers a clear and detailed insight to the history of nazi regime and their misdeeds. It has write-ups, images as well as background details of the killers/murderers and the killed/bothered.

Tips:

• The visitor should be ready to spend a considerable amount of time at this museum since there are numerous things to learn.
• As much as the museum, you should not leave without visiting the remaining sections of the Berlin Wall situated beside the museum.
• This is because you will be able to view the terror related items at the outdoor exhibit channel.

3. Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

Sachsenhausen concentration camp, about twenty minutes outside of Berlin is also a place or interest. This was among the earliest large camps created by the Nazis and many other camps were copied from it. It is currently a memorial and a museum and thus ensures whoever visits gains perceptions as to how prisoners were treated during such times.

Tips:

• Exposed to tours in order to have an appreciation of the historical background and importance of the camp.
• It is also advisable to wear comfortable shoes and clothes and be ready for quite a tiring tour because the loss of orientation is possible due to the great size of the site.
• That is why it is important to avoid heroism and be more reserved during such cases and honor the victims.

4. House of the Wannsee Conference

Wannsee Conference house was the place where high-rank Nazis convened to discuss and strategize on the extermination of Jews. Today the house itself being a museum offers people a look into decision process that culminated in holocaust.

Tips:

• Opt for a guided tour to gain as much knowledge about the conference as well as its background.
• One can walk around the environment surrounding the beautiful lakeside after which one can go for a walk to relax.
• It is important to stay polite as it is a memorial to those who passed away.

5. Jewish Museum Berlin

The visitors will not find only the information about SHOA at the Jewish Museum Berlin but get the brief knowledge about the Jewish culture in Germany. Among them are those that present the lively Jewish lifestyle before the Europe massacre and holocaust; and the genocide brutality. It also presents diverse aspects of Jewish people’s culture and their contributions to the society.

Tips:

• It is a popular museum and therefore it is advisable to make your plan early, in case you want to avoid large crowds.
• There is a possibility to use audio guides to improve the experience.
• Of special interest is the special and touching Holocaust Tower, as well as the Garden of Exile situated in the museum’s area.

In my opinion, visiting the Holocaust sites in Berlin is not only an opportunity to make honor to the victims and gain knowledge about the Holocaust but also it is a signal that is recalling people about significance of historical experiences to avoid such terrible actions in future. This means that the time that is taken to go through the different sites should be sufficient in order to understand the strong desire that these sites portray. Despite the numerous attractions that Berlin has to offer such as museums, monuments, and affluent history, there are several Holocaust sites that are a wake up call for the future generations to be mature enough to avoid repeating the past.