Niš Concentration Camp
Nišavski okrug
Niš Concentration Camp, also known as Logor Crveni krst or Lager Nisch, was established in 1941 by German occupation forces in Serbia during World War II. Initially serving as a temporary camp for Yugoslav Royal Army prisoners of war, it evolved into a concentration camp for political prisoners, Jews, nationalists, and various resistance members. Located in former Serbian military warehouses near Niš railway station, the camp was managed by the Gestapo under SS Captain Heinrich Brandt. Approximately 30,000 prisoners passed through the camp, with about 10,000 executed at the nearby Bubanj site. The camp is notable for hosting the first successful escape from a Nazi concentration camp. Today, it functions as the Memorial Complex "12th February," preserving the memory of those who suffered and died there. The complex is recognized as a cultural monument of exceptional importance in Serbia.
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Tip: Visitors are advised to plan their visit during daylight hours for the best experience. It is recommended to check opening hours in advance and consider guided tours to fully understand the historical context. Tickets may be available with discounts for students, seniors, or groups. Advance booking can enhance the visit, especially during commemorative events.
Interesting facts
- •The camp was the site of the first successful escape from a Nazi concentration camp.
- •Approximately 30,000 prisoners passed through the camp during WWII.
- •Around 10,000 prisoners were executed at the nearby Bubanj execution site.
- •The camp was initially a temporary POW camp before becoming a concentration camp.
- •The camp was managed by SS Captain Heinrich Brandt, under the command of the Gestapo.
History
The Niš Concentration Camp was established on April 9, 1941, shortly after the German invasion of Yugoslavia.
Initially a temporary detention center for Yugoslav prisoners of war, it soon became a concentration camp for political prisoners and other targeted groups.
The camp was operated by German forces, specifically the Gestapo under SS Captain Heinrich Brandt.
Throughout the war, it witnessed the imprisonment of approximately 30,000 detainees, many of whom were later executed.
After the war, the site was designated a memorial complex and declared a cultural monument of exceptional importance in 1979 by the Serbian government.
Place Guide
Memorial Complex "12th February"1979
The current museum and memorial complex located in the former military warehouses that housed the camp. It preserves artifacts, documents, and exhibits related to the camp's history and the victims.
Bubanj Execution Site
A nearby location where around 10,000 prisoners from the camp and other local prisons were executed by Nazi forces during WWII.
Contact
Phone: 018 588889