Red Cross Concentration Camp
Jablanički okrug
The Red Cross Concentration Camp, also known as Lager Nisch, was established in 1941 by German occupying forces in Niš, Serbia, initially as a temporary camp for Yugoslav Royal Army prisoners of war. Over time, it evolved into a concentration camp used to detain political prisoners, Jews, nationalists, and other groups targeted by the Nazis. Located in former Serbian military warehouses near the Red Cross railway station, the camp was administered by the Gestapo under SS Captain Heinrich Brandt. Approximately 30,000 prisoners passed through the camp during the occupation, with around 10,000 executed at the Bubanj site near Niš. The camp is historically significant for being the site of the first successful escape from a Nazi camp. Today, it serves as the Memorial Complex "12th February," a museum dedicated to preserving the memory of those who suffered and died there. The complex is recognized as a cultural monument of exceptional importance in Serbia, reflecting the brutal realities of occupation and resistance during World War II.
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Tip: Visitors should consider visiting during spring and autumn for comfortable weather. It is advisable to check opening hours in advance and book guided tours if available to gain deeper insight. Discounts may be offered for students, seniors, and groups. Early ticket purchase is recommended during peak tourist seasons.
Interesting facts
- •The camp was the site of the first successful escape from a Nazi concentration camp during World War II.
- •Approximately 30,000 prisoners passed through the camp during the German occupation.
- •Around 10,000 prisoners were executed at the nearby Bubanj execution site, though exact numbers remain unknown due to Nazi attempts to hide evidence.
- •The camp was established and managed by the Gestapo under SS Captain Heinrich Brandt.
History
The camp was formed on April 9, 1941, shortly after the German invasion of Yugoslavia, initially serving as a temporary detention center for military prisoners.
By September 1941, it officially became a concentration camp as it no longer housed prisoners protected by the Geneva Convention.
The camp was part of a broader system of Nazi camps established across occupied Serbia following Hitler and Mussolini's orders.
After the war, it was preserved as a memorial and declared a cultural monument of exceptional importance in 1979 by the Serbian government.
Place Guide
Main Camp Buildings1941
The camp was located in former Serbian military warehouses and storage buildings, which housed prisoners and administrative offices. These buildings now form part of the memorial complex, preserving the original structures used during the camp's operation.
Memorial Complex "12th February"Post-1945
The current museum and memorial complex commemorates the victims and tells the history of the camp through exhibitions, photographs, and artifacts from the wartime period. It serves as a place of remembrance and education about Nazi atrocities in Serbia.
Contact
Phone: 018 588889
