Views on visiting Third Reich sites that aren't touristy
Discussion
Over the next couple of years I have got a couple of trips planned which go withing a stones throw of a few third Reich sites which I wouldn't mind seeing. None of them are notorious sites, nor at the moment have bad reputations as building in their own right, but were commissioned for Hitler / Nazi Germany.
What are peoples views on visiting them, assuming I can get close to to them, and I wouldn't trespass to get close, I have no wish to end up in gaol.
One of them is Prora https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prora
I'm torn with it being ok, and its Nazi history so stay well clear.
What are peoples views on visiting them, assuming I can get close to to them, and I wouldn't trespass to get close, I have no wish to end up in gaol.
One of them is Prora https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prora
I'm torn with it being ok, and its Nazi history so stay well clear.
Celtic Dragon said:
Over the next couple of years I have got a couple of trips planned which go withing a stones throw of a few third Reich sites which I wouldn't mind seeing. None of them are notorious sites, nor at the moment have bad reputations as building in their own right, but were commissioned for Hitler / Nazi Germany.
What are peoples views on visiting them, assuming I can get close to to them, and I wouldn't trespass to get close, I have no wish to end up in gaol.
One of them is Prora https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prora
I'm torn with it being ok, and its Nazi history so stay well clear.
I've visited countless sites since moving to DE. Prora is worthwhile, but quite out of the way if you aren't planning to do much else on Rügen. The sheer scale is staggering. What are peoples views on visiting them, assuming I can get close to to them, and I wouldn't trespass to get close, I have no wish to end up in gaol.
One of them is Prora https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prora
I'm torn with it being ok, and its Nazi history so stay well clear.
I have no idea why one would not go, particularly if interested in history. Germans sometimes have an issue with it, but that is understandable given the collective guilt phenomenon that persists.
Another interesting area (and full of sites) is Berchtesgaden (Kehlsteinhaus, massive underground bunker complexes, Hotel zum Türken, etc.). A bit more touristy though.
Go. It'll be interesting.
The death camps were commissioned by the Nazis, but plenty of people visit them - to learn, to reflect, not to in any way endorse or glorify the regime. Depending on the trips you have planned, the U-boat pens in western France are worth seeing (although some are still used by the French, I think, so be a bit circumspect), and there are various bits of the Atlantic wall left. Oradour sur Glaine is well worth a visit - bloody sobering.
Personally, I think it's a bit of a shame you feel the need to ask - you are clearly concerned that other people may disapprove and make judgements about you, which seems indicative of the social justice warrior mentality afflicting parts of our society.
The death camps were commissioned by the Nazis, but plenty of people visit them - to learn, to reflect, not to in any way endorse or glorify the regime. Depending on the trips you have planned, the U-boat pens in western France are worth seeing (although some are still used by the French, I think, so be a bit circumspect), and there are various bits of the Atlantic wall left. Oradour sur Glaine is well worth a visit - bloody sobering.
Personally, I think it's a bit of a shame you feel the need to ask - you are clearly concerned that other people may disapprove and make judgements about you, which seems indicative of the social justice warrior mentality afflicting parts of our society.
scherzkeks said:
I've visited countless sites since moving to DE. Prora is worthwhile, but quite out of the way if you aren't planning to do much else on Rügen. The sheer scale is staggering.
I have no idea why one would not go, particularly if interested in history. Germans sometimes have an issue with it, but that is understandable given the collective guilt phenomenon that persists.
Another interesting area (and full of sites) is Berchtesgaden (Kehlsteinhaus, massive underground bunker complexes, Hotel zum Türken, etc.). A bit more touristy though.
I'm hopefully taking part in Bikepacking Tran Germany bike race next year and it finishes at the lighthouses on Rügen. As I'll be on the bike, whats an extra 40kms after you've ridden 1700!I have no idea why one would not go, particularly if interested in history. Germans sometimes have an issue with it, but that is understandable given the collective guilt phenomenon that persists.
Another interesting area (and full of sites) is Berchtesgaden (Kehlsteinhaus, massive underground bunker complexes, Hotel zum Türken, etc.). A bit more touristy though.
http://www.bikepacking.com/routes/bikepacking-tran...
Celtic Dragon said:
Over the next couple of years I have got a couple of trips planned which go withing a stones throw of a few third Reich sites which I wouldn't mind seeing. None of them are notorious sites, nor at the moment have bad reputations as building in their own right, but were commissioned for Hitler / Nazi Germany.
What are peoples views on visiting them, assuming I can get close to to them, and I wouldn't trespass to get close, I have no wish to end up in gaol.
One of them is Prora https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prora
I'm torn with it being ok, and its Nazi history so stay well clear.
Sorry, I don't understand the question. What are peoples views on visiting them, assuming I can get close to to them, and I wouldn't trespass to get close, I have no wish to end up in gaol.
One of them is Prora https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prora
I'm torn with it being ok, and its Nazi history so stay well clear.
They aren't contagious - you won't get infected with Nazism if you get too close!
If you are interested in visiting them, go. What on Earth does it matter what other people think?
Celtic Dragon said:
I'm hopefully taking part in Bikepacking Tran Germany bike race next year and it finishes at the lighthouses on Rügen. As I'll be on the bike, whats an extra 40kms after you've ridden 1700!
http://www.bikepacking.com/routes/bikepacking-tran...
By all means, go! http://www.bikepacking.com/routes/bikepacking-tran...
TEKNOPUG said:
Sorry, I don't understand the question.
They aren't contagious - you won't get infected with Nazism if you get too close!
True - Reading the Daily Mail can, but not visiting buildings! They aren't contagious - you won't get infected with Nazism if you get too close!
I've been to some of the sites in Berchtesgaden, to Dachau and to various sites in the Channel Islands and Normandy - It's history, not hero worship - all are quite sobering, in their way, as a testament to how one man's madness can turn a whole society insane... Seems we don't learn very well though...
Contrary to the French's belief, Napoleon wasn't a very nice man, but they have statues to him all over France!
M
so called said:
The Germans have not hidden anything after the second world war, erecting statues in memory of the holocaust etc.
Based on that, treat the locations as part of a history that should never be forgotten and you will be on the same page as the Germany state's position.
My son married a German girl while stationed there in the Army and my grandchildren went to German state schools.During history lessons they were taught everything about the world wars and the holocaust.I think they know more than the average school kid in the UK.Based on that, treat the locations as part of a history that should never be forgotten and you will be on the same page as the Germany state's position.
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