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  • Historical overview
    • Concentration Camp
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The Site/Historical overview

Historical overview

1937 to 1945

Concentration Camp

In 1937, the SS has a concentration camp built just a few kilometres from Weimar, the city of German Classicism. The camp’s name – “Buchenwald” – becomes a synonym for the Nazi crimes.

1945-1950

Soviet Special Camp No. 2

In August 1945, the Soviet occupying power converts the main section of the former concentration camp into a “special camp”. Primarily local Nazi party functionaries, but also adolescents and victims of denunciation are interned there.

Until 1989

National Buchenwald Memorial

In 1958 the GDR builds a memorial complex visible far and wide. Its monumentality is intended to reflect the extent of the crimes, but it serves first and foremost as a national memorial.

Since 1990

New conception of the memorial

After the end of the GDR, the memorial is restructured; it now also serves to commemorate the fates of other victim groups. Within this framework, new permanent exhibitions are developed.

  • News
    • News
    • Archive
    • Press service
  • The Site
    • Historical overview
    • Outdoor facilities
  • Visitor Services
    • Corona Note
    • Opening hours
    • How to find us
    • Guided tours
    • Multimedia Guide
    • Documentary films
    • Practical information
    • Accessibility
    • Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
    • Donation note
  • Exhibitions
    • Permanent exhibitions
    • Travelling exhibitions
    • Special exhibitions
  • Educational Services
    • Registration form
    • Guided tours
    • Full-day programmes (6 to 8 hours)
    • Seminars (2 to 5 days)
    • Topics and teaching methods
    • International Young People's Centre
  • Collection & Research
    • Archive
    • Collection
    • Library
    • Research projects
  • History Online
    • Book of the Dead
    • Photo Archives
    • Biographies
    • Zum Hören: Lebensgeschichten
    • Documentaries
    • Nachgefragt - Historiker antworten
    • E-Book Gulag zum Download
    • Speziallageraufarbeitung
    • Filmauschnitte "Speziallager Nr. 2 1945-1950"
    • Virtual exhibitions
  • Shop

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