We took a family day trip to Flossenburg concentration camp today, in Germany near the Czech border. Above is the SS headquarters building.
Above building used to be the camp kitchen. Now, it houses a museum. You cannot get any closer to history (without living it, and thankful we didn't) than being inside a concentration camp. This was one of the gentler introductions to concentration camps in the region, with no gas chamber and very little by way of graphic photos. There were a few scary ones that Tuna and I talked through, but for the most part, she was a quiet observer, taking it all in, asking questions as they arose in her mind. Bay was appropriately somber, and had a few questions of her own. I think the girls each took unique experiences from being in Flossenburg today.
It was exceptionally beautiful there. A stark contrast to what once was. We read that the town has tried to downplay the focus of the concentration camp.
The girls climbed the steps to one of the guard towers.
There was a lot to look at, a lot to take in, and a lot to interact with. The girls spend a good deal of time exploring several of the memorial sites.
The chapel was quiet. There was a bust of Dietrich Bonhoeffer inside.
This was one of the places we had to stop and discuss: the crematorium.
Walking on, in, and around history. There really is no better education than experience.
Flossenburg then and now.
Tuna spent some time going through the book of prisoners' names, searching surnames she knows to see if any match. She did find a person with the same surname as one of her best friends.
I am thankful that we get to experience the world like this, by living in Europe and taking day trips to visit such historic sights. Next week, we will be enriching our lives further with three trips (yes, three, all day trips!): Prague, Alsace region of France, and Salzburg.
No comments:
Post a Comment