Mauthausen

Today, I had the opportunity to visit Mauthausen, a concentration camp that is about 30 minutes outside of Linz. Although the trip only lasted about 3 hours, I came home more exhausted than my all day trip I took last weekend. Having learned about the Holocaust and concentration camps in school I somewhat knew what to expect. Although, I do not think anything can prepare you for actually visiting a concentration camp. The actual setting of where the camp was placed was very beautiful with rolling hills, and glimpses of the far off mountains. The history of the place was not so beautiful. The group was given a two hour tour of the camp, my guide was very informative and knew the camps history. The camp was primarily a male labor camp that housed not only jews but Soviet prisoners of war as well as any one else the Nazi party deemed unfit in their "perfect" society. 

 











The day may of wiped me emotionally but, I walked away with more knowledge and understanding for the awful events that occurred.