Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial
Oberösterreich
Mauthausen Concentration Camp was a major Nazi concentration camp established in 1938 near the town of Mauthausen in Upper Austria. It served as the main camp of a complex with nearly 100 subcamps, including the significant Gusen camps. The camp was notorious for its brutal conditions, especially due to forced labor in granite quarries and armaments factories. Over 190,000 prisoners were held there, with approximately half perishing due to the harsh treatment, starvation, and executions. The camp was initially founded to exploit granite quarries for Nazi architectural projects and was operated by the SS-owned company DEST. Liberated by the United States Army in May 1945, the site now functions as a memorial and museum dedicated to educating visitors about the atrocities committed and honoring the victims. Its preservation includes original camp structures and educational exhibits, serving as a powerful reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust.
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Tip: Visitors are advised to allocate sufficient time to explore the memorial and its exhibitions fully. Guided tours, workshops, and audio guides are available to enhance understanding. It is recommended to book tickets in advance, especially for groups. Visiting during weekdays may provide a quieter experience. Educational programs and digital resources such as the Virtual Guide and Room of Names are accessible for deeper engagement. Respectful behavior is essential due to the site's solemn nature.
Interesting facts
- •Mauthausen was one of the first large concentration camp complexes in Nazi Germany and the last to be liberated by the Allies.
- •Approximately half of the roughly 190,000 inmates died at Mauthausen or its subcamps, reflecting its extreme brutality.
- •The camp's granite quarries were integral to Nazi plans for monumental architecture, including the planned transformation of Linz into a Führer city.
- •The SS-owned company DEST operated the camp and its quarries, profiting from the forced labor of inmates.
- •Mauthausen was the only Category III concentration camp in the Reich, signifying the harshest conditions and intended extermination through labor.
History
The Mauthausen camp was established shortly after the Anschluss of Austria in 1938, initially housing prisoners from Dachau tasked with constructing the camp and working in nearby granite quarries.
It was founded by the SS-owned Deutsche Erd- und Steinwerke GmbH (DEST) to supply granite for Nazi architectural plans, particularly for the planned reconstruction of Linz.
Over time, it expanded into a complex with numerous subcamps, including the large Gusen camps.
Mauthausen was unique as a Category III camp, designated for "extermination through labor," making conditions exceptionally brutal.
The camp was liberated by American forces on May 5, 1945, and later transformed into a memorial site by Austria starting in 1947, officially opening in 1949 to commemorate the victims and educate future generations.
Place Guide
Main Camp Area1938
The central area includes original prisoner barracks, the infamous quarry site where forced labor took place, and the camp's administrative buildings. Visitors can see preserved structures that illustrate the daily hardships endured by inmates.
Gusen Subcamps1940
Located a few kilometers from the main camp, the Gusen subcamps held a significant number of prisoners and were centers of intense forced labor in armaments factories and quarries. These sites are part of the broader Mauthausen complex and contribute to understanding the scale of the camp system.
Memorial and Educational Center
The memorial includes exhibitions, a Room of Names commemorating victims, workshops, and digital resources such as a Virtual Guide and Video Portal. It serves to educate visitors about the Holocaust and the specific history of Mauthausen.
Contact
Phone: 07238 22690
