Orte der Erinnerung 1933 - 1945

Ravensbrück Memorial Site

The Ravensbrück Concentration Camp, built starting in November 1938 close to the small town of Fürstenberg/Havel, was the only large concentration camp on German soil which was designed as a “protective custody camp” for women, called so euphemistically by the National Socialists. Between 1939 and 1945, 132,000 women, 20,000 men and 1,000 young women from the Youth Concentration Camp Uckermark (once again, the NS euphemistically called it a “Youth Protection Camp”) were registered as prisoners. The prisoners came from over 40 countries; there were also many Jews as well as Sinti and Roma among them. Tens of thousands were murdered or died from hunger, illness or medical experimentation. After the Red Army liberated the camp on April 30th, 1945, the land was used by them for military purposes until 1994. The Ravensbrück Memorial Site, opened outside of the historical camp walls in 1959, has been a part of the Foundation for Brandenburg Memorial Sites since 1993.

The Ravensbrück Memorial Site, which has been expanded to include extensive parts of the historical concentration camp complex, nowadays combines remembrance, research and historical-political educational work. The Ravensbrück International Youth Exchange Site with an affiliated youth hostel was opened in 2002. The educational services office organizes events lasting over a period of several days. In addition, tours and project days are offered. Since 2007, the tour has begun and ended in the new Visitor’s Centre.

Permanent Exhibitions:
Ravensbrück - Topography and History of the Women’s Concentration Camp
Ravensbrück Prisoners
At the SS’ Service. The Ravensbrück Women’s Concentration Camp guards.
The Cell Building (with memorial rooms for individual countries and persecuted groups)
The language of remembrance. The history of the Ravensbrück Memorial Site.

Address and Hours of Operation

Mahn- und Gedenkstätte Ravensbrück (Ravensbrück Memorial Site)
Stiftung Brandenburgische Gedenkstätten (Brandenburg Memorial Site Foundation)
Straße der Nationen 
16798 Fürstenberg/Havel 

Tel.: +49-03 09 3-60 38 5
Fax: +49-03 09 3-60 38 6
E-mail: paedagogik(at)ravensbrueck.de
Internet: www.ravensbrueck.de

You can register for tours, project days and seminars. Tours/project days for a maximum of 15 people cost 15 euros, up to 30 people: 25 euros. Tours in foreign languages will cost an additional 25 euros.

Opening times:
Tues-Sun 9-5pm (last entry: 4:30pm)
The Memorial Site is accessible from 8-6pm, and in the summer (May 1st-September 30th) until 8pm.

Free entry

Regional train: RE 5 from Berlin Central Station to Fürstenberg/Havel train station
and then around a 3 km walk to the Ravensbrück Memorial Site