Introduction

Bergen-Belsen is one of Germany’s most important sites of remembrance, bearing witness to the tragedies of World War II and the resilience of Holocaust survivors. Established first as a prisoner-of-war camp in 1940, it later became a Nazi concentration camp, and after liberation in 1945, it served as a Displaced Persons (DP) camp for survivors with no home to return to. The present-day Bergen-Belsen Memorial in Lohheide, Lower Saxony, preserves this layered history through comprehensive exhibitions, memorials, and educational programs. Visitors experience a solemn and educational journey that honors the victims and survivors, with facilities designed for accessibility and reflection. This guide provides detailed, up-to-date information on the site’s history, visiting hours, ticketing, accessibility, and tips for a meaningful visit (Bergen-Belsen Memorial Visiting Hours, Tickets & Guide to Lohheide Historical Site; Visiting Bergen-Belsen: History, Tickets, and Travel Tips; Significance of the Bergen-Belsen DP Camp).

Bergen-Belsen’s history is marked by successive phases of human suffering and survival:

1940–1943: Prisoner-of-War Camp
Initially established for French and Belgian soldiers, the camp soon housed around 20,000 Soviet POWs, many of whom perished due to starvation and disease (Jewish Virtual Library).
1943–1945: Concentration Camp
Bergen-Belsen became a concentration camp holding mostly Jewish prisoners, some slated for exchange for Germans abroad. Notable exchanges included 222 Jews permitted to immigrate to Palestine and about 1,500 Hungarian Jews to Switzerland. However, most prisoners suffered and died before liberation.
1945–1950: Displaced Persons Camp
After British forces liberated the camp in April 1945, Bergen-Belsen was repurposed to shelter Holocaust survivors and other displaced individuals. It became a crucial site for recovery and rebuilding, operating until 1950 (Significance of the Bergen-Belsen DP Camp).

Displaced persons (DPs) departing from Bergen-Belsen to Israel — Displaced persons boarding a train or vehicle at Bergen-Belsen displaced persons camp, departing to Israel after World War II

Building with inscription M.B. 57 and Red Cross symbol at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945 — Black and white photograph of a building at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany, marked with the inscription 'M.B. 57' and a Red Cross symbol, taken during the 1945 repatriation. Historical image from Anefo photo collection.

Man lying on bed in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp during repatriation 1945 — Black and white photograph of a man lying on a bed in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945 during repatriation after World War II. Part of the Anefo photo collection, captured by an unknown photographer, archived by the Nationaal Archief.

Black and white photo of a woman in concentration camp clothing in a dormitory at Bergen-Belsen repatriation camp during WWII — Black and white negative photo showing a woman wearing concentration camp clothing in a dormitory of the Bergen-Belsen repatriation camp during World War II. Photographed by unknown photographer for Anefo, part of the National Archives collection.

Women lying on beds in a dormitory hall at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp during repatriation in World War II — Black and white image showing a dormitory hall with women lying on beds in the former Bergen-Belsen concentration camp during repatriation after World War II, photographed by an unknown photographer for Anefo, part of the Nationaal Archief collection.

Two women eating and drinking, one lying on a bed in Bergen-Belsen repatriation camp in 1945 — Black and white photograph from 1945 showing two women eating and drinking, with one lying on a bed during the repatriation at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany after World War II.

Emaciated woman in bed looking at the camera at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945 — Black and white photo of an emaciated woman looking at the camera from her bed at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp during repatriation in 1945

Emaciated woman lying in bed looking out through a window in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945 — Black and white photo of an emaciated woman in bed looking out a window during the repatriation at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, Germany, 1945, taken by an unknown photographer for Anefo, archived by Nationaal Archief.

Emaciated woman looking from her bed through a window in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, 1945 — Black and white photo of an emaciated woman looking out from her bed through a window in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp during repatriation in 1945, captured by an unknown photographer for Anefo, held by the Nationaal Archief.

Woman lying on bed with drinking cups and a plate of bread beside her in Bergen-Belsen repatriation camp 1945 — Black and white photo from 1945 showing a woman lying on a bed with drinking cups and a plate with bread beside her during repatriation at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, Germany.

Woman lying on a bed with drink cups and a plate of bread beside her in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp after World War II repatriation — Black and white photograph of a woman lying on a bed with drinking cups and plate of bread beside her, taken at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany during repatriation after World War II in 1945.

Visitor Information

Hours and Admission

Memorial Grounds Open daily, year-round.
Documentation Centre
- October–March: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- April–September: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Closed during Lower Saxony’s Christmas holidays.

Admission:
Entry to the Bergen-Belsen Memorial, Documentation Centre, and exhibitions is free. No tickets are required (Bergen-Belsen Memorial Visiting Hours).

Guided Tours and Accessibility

Guided Tours
Available for individuals and groups in multiple languages. Advance registration is recommended for groups and educational institutions. Tours are led by experienced guides and can focus on specific historical aspects (Bergen-Belsen Guided Tours).
Accessibility
The Documentation Centre and main paths are wheelchair accessible. Some outdoor areas have uneven ground; staff provide assistance as needed. Facilities include accessible restrooms and materials for visually impaired visitors (large print, Braille in German, audio guides).

Memorial Site Highlights

Documentation Centre

The Documentation Centre, opened in 2007, is the heart of the visitor experience. It features:

A chronological exhibition on the site’s history as a POW, concentration, and DP camp.
Multimedia displays with survivor testimonies and original artifacts.
A 25-minute documentary with multilingual options.
A library with over 8,000 publications (for on-site use).
Bookshop and café (Bergen-Belsen Documentation Centre).

Memorial Grounds and Monuments

Mass Graves and Monuments
Thirteen mass graves and numerous memorial markers commemorate thousands of victims. The central obelisk and inscription wall are key features, along with memorials for various victim groups (Lonely Planet).
Anne Frank Memorial
A symbolic gravestone honors Anne Frank and her sister Margot.
Haus der Stille (House of Silence)
A dedicated building for quiet reflection.
Special Monuments
Additional memorials recognize victims of different nationalities and faiths (WhichMuseum).

Nearby Attractions and Travel Tips

Getting There
The memorial is located at Anne-Frank-Platz, 29303 Lohheide, Germany, about 60 km north of Hanover and close to Celle. It is accessible by car (parking available) and by public transport via train to Celle or Bergen, then local bus or taxi (Bergen-Belsen Memorial Directions).
Nearby Sites
Explore Celle’s Old Town, the Bomann Museum, and other regional attractions.
Travel Tips
- Allow 3–4 hours for a thorough visit.
- Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.
- Maintain respectful conduct; photography is permitted but should be discreet near graves.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is there an entrance fee or do I need tickets?
A: Admission is free; no tickets are required.

Q: What are the opening hours?
A: Documentation Centre: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Oct–Mar), 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (Apr–Sep), closed during Christmas holidays.

Q: Are guided tours available in English?
A: Yes, tours are offered in multiple languages with advance booking.

Q: Is the site wheelchair accessible?
A: Yes, the Documentation Centre and most paths are accessible. Some outdoor areas may be challenging.

Q: How can I reach the site by public transport?
A: Take a regional train to Celle or Bergen, then use a local bus or taxi.

Q: Are there commemorative events?
A: Annual events include the April 15 Liberation Day ceremony and educational workshops (Bergen-Belsen Stiftung Events).

Bergen-Belsen Displaced Persons Camp

Introduction