Holocaust Memorials
There are many WWII & Holocaust memorials/sights in Europe (e.g. Dachau , Anne Frank's house). They provide travelers powerful opportunities to learn from the greatest horrors of the 20th century. Share your experiences and suggestions so others can heed the wish of the the victims of the holocaust…that we never forget.
Please Note: This topic was previously known as "Nazi Sights."
- Please don't post questions here. Use our Travelers Helpline.
Seemingly unknown or acknowledged Memorials in Paris
Earlier this spring I read “Sarah’s Key”, by Tatiana de Rosnay. The following review was taken from the book title website: It is a well-written book on a little-known World War II subject, that of the Paris Vélodrome d’Hiver (a bicycle stadium), and the round up of Jews on July 16-17, 1942, where the Jews were arrested and held before being deported to Auschwitz. Many Jews died, succumbed to the unsanitary and horrid conditions that were forced upon them in the Velodrom d’Hiver, while awaiting deportation. Thousands of children died of starvation and lack of water. By the end of the two day round up over 13,000 Jews were held in there before being deported, including thousands of children."
The Velodrome did in fact exist. The following was taken off google: The Vel' d'Hiv' had a glass roof, which had been painted dark blue to help avoid attracting bomber navigators. The dark glass roof, combined with windows screwed shut for security, raised the temperature inside the structure. The 13,152 people held there [8] had no lavatories; of the 10 available, five were sealed because their windows offered a way out, and the others were blocked.[9] The arrested Jews were kept there for eight days with only water and food brought by Quakers, the Red Cross and the few doctors and nurses allowed to enter.
Those arrested were sent to an internment camp in half-completed tower blocks at Drancy and then to the extermination camp at Auschwitz. Only 400 survived.
A fire destroyed part of the Vélodrome d'Hiver in 1959 and the rest was demolished. A block of flats and a building belonging to the Ministry of the Interior now stand on the site. A plaque marking the Rafle du Vel' d'Hiv was placed on the track building and moved to 8 boulevard de Grenelle in 1959. On 3 February, 1993, the President, François Mitterrand, commissioned a monument to be erected on the site. [12]
It stands now on a curved base, to represent the cycle track, on the edge of the quai de Grenelle. It is the work of the sculptor Walter Spitzer and the architect Mario Azagury. Spitzer and his family were survivors of deportation to Auschwitz. The statue represents all deportees but especially those of the Vel' d'Hiv. The sculpture includes children, a pregnant woman and a sick man. The words on the monument are: "The French Republic in homage to victims of racist and antisemitic persecutions and of crimes against humanity committed under the authority of the so-called 'Government of the State of France.'"
The statue was inaugurated on 17 July 1994.
I set out this one day in Paris this summer to find these 2 sights. They were a bit of a challenge to find, and when I asked someone I met on the street if he knew where the Velodrome once stood he first replied "No." When I showed him a picture of the sight, he said he remembered passing something like that on his way to work. It was in fact the site of the Velodrome. A block or so away, along the River was the statue.
These are little known memorials in Paris, but the role the Velodrom and the Parisian police played in history is very important.
Laura
NH USA 09/30/2009
Dachau
Our recent visit to Munich included a trip to Dachau. The audio guide is a must. We took our time and walked respectfully through the museum, grounds and buildings.
Edward
Titusville, NJ USA 09/13/2009
Holocaust Memorials
On my recent trip to Budapest I was in the old Jewish neighborhood. Having been brought up Jewish but having not been to temple in some thirty odd years I have to tell you the tour of the Central Temple and the holocaust memorial were moving and well worth the experience. Then to walk around the area and know there were 800,000 Jews that lived there. Walking around the Ghetto was chilling. I highly recommend anyone traveling through this part of the world to take the time.
Laurie Watt <email>
Maysville, KY USA 07/20/2009
Majdanek
I know that this can be a sensitive topic, but I just want to add something that I believe that Rick has overlooked in his books and articles.
For people travelling further into Eastern Poland (further east than Krakow or Warsaw), you may wish to visit Majdanek. Outside of Lublin, this death camp was one of the first to be liberated, and as such, was not completely razed by the Germans as the allies approached (like Treblinka was).
Having been to several camp locations (including Auschwitz, Majdanek and Treblinka), Majdanek was one of the most effective museums and remembrance locations that I saw.
Mike
Toronto, ON USA 05/23/2009
Tenboom House
Put your beliefs aside? Isn't that ironic? A Jew should not be forcibly prosteletized to at a place passing itself off as a Holocaust Memorial. Again, this was an excruciatingly upsetting experience. As my husband and I got up to leave, we were questioned in front of the group. We were much too polite, mostly because I was shaking due to how upset I was. This is not a Memorial, it is a religious group taking advantage of history to force their beliefs upon others.
Debra Sarver
San Leandro, Ca USA 05/09/2009
Shoah (Holocaust) Memorial and Museum in Paris
This relatively new Shoah memorial & museum in Paris opened 2005. Information is in French and English. Permanent exhibition looks small (5-6 rooms) but don't underestimate how much time you may spend there! My kids, 8 & 12, read every note and watched every documentary. We spent close to 3 hours there. We combined it with the visit to the Army museum's WWI & WWII exhibit in the morning, then had lunch in Marais and spent the afternoon here. Although the two museums are not in close proximity, the historical connectivity prevailed.
http://www.memorialdelashoah.org/
When in Paris, make sure to visit the Deportation memorial on the Cite Island, behind Notre Dame
Dina <email>
Indianapolis, IN USA 04/05/2009
Holocaust Memorials in Prague
Probably the most meaningful day I've ever spent in Europe--linked up with 2 other women while traveling in Central Europe a year ago, and booked a tour with a private guide to visit the 5 holocaust memorials (mostly former synagogues) and Jewish cemetery in Prague. Private tours can be arranged on the spot . Very interesting and unforgettably moving experience especially at the Pinkus Synagogue. You will lose your heart there. Like Auschwitz/Birkenau, it's a place the whole world should see.
Pat Dolan
San Francisco , Ca USA 02/07/2009