Traces of National Socialism in the present

In the 70th year after the end of the Second World War, I embarked on a documentary journey. I visited eight Nazi memorial sites: Buchenwald, Dachau, Eckerwald, Ellrich-Juliushütte, Flossenbürg, Mittelbau-Dora, Ravensbrück and Sachsenhausen. I had never been to one of these sites myself and set myself the photographic challenge. I paid particular attention to local tourism.

Some of the places show only barren landscapes and the remains of ruins. They only give an idea of what it once looked like here and what terrible things happened here. Others, on the other hand, have been largely preserved or renovated to leave them as memorials for posterity. Flowers hang over the insurmountable camp fences and countless roses are piled up on the memorial plaques. A contemporary witness is also filmed on site - a special moment. All in all, a quiet yet oppressive atmosphere that makes it difficult to take photographs.

However, I not only experienced quiet moments, but also packed coaches with their accompanying hustle and bustle of crowds. Also children playing, who couldn't know any better where they were. People who often unashamedly give their all to capture every corner of the concentration camps with their cameras, jostling side by side for the best shot.

My photographic journey was part of my bachelor's thesis, which I did in Würzburg at the fg.thws. If documentation hadn't been an important part of my project, I wouldn't have taken a camera with me. I often found it difficult to take photos - and sometimes I couldn't do it at all. The idea was too terrible and emotional... Thank you for the elaborate preservation of such places.

Caution: Some photos may have a disturbing effect on you. Please decide for yourself whether you want to look at the photos shown here. Thank you.

Never again.