Camp Westerbork
Drenthe
Camp Westerbork, located in the province of Drenthe in the northeastern Netherlands, served as a Nazi transit camp during World War II. Originally established in 1939 by the Dutch government as a refugee camp for German and Austrian Jews fleeing Nazi persecution, it was repurposed after the German invasion in 1940. From 1942, it functioned as a staging ground for deporting Jews, Sinti, and Roma to extermination camps such as Auschwitz and Sobibór. The camp was relatively small, covering about 50 hectares, and included 200 interconnected cottages for families and barracks for single inmates. Despite being a transit camp, the Nazis created an illusion of normalcy with cultural activities, a school, orchestra, and even restaurants. Notable prisoners included Anne Frank and Etty Hillesum, who documented their experiences in diaries. The camp was managed by a mix of German SS officers and Jewish inmates who held administrative roles. Over 97,000 people were deported from Westerbork, most of whom perished in the Holocaust. Today, the site serves as a memorial and museum dedicated to preserving the memory and stories of those affected by the camp's tragic history.
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Tip: Visitors are advised to check the official website for current opening hours and to consider joining guided tours of the camp grounds for a more comprehensive understanding. The best time to visit is during spring and autumn when weather conditions are mild. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance for special exhibitions or events. The museum offers activities and lectures, including programs tailored for children. Discounts may be available for groups, students, and seniors. Public transport options and accessibility details are provided on the official website.
Interesting facts
- •Approximately 97,776 Jews, Sinti, and Roma were deported from Westerbork between 1942 and 1944.
- •Anne Frank was interned at Westerbork for nearly a month before being deported to Auschwitz.
- •The camp had cultural facilities such as a school, orchestra, hairdresser, and restaurants, designed to give inmates false hope.
- •A memorial was erected in May 2024 to honor Sinti families Weiss and Meinhardt, who lost about 200 members in the Holocaust.
- •The camp was originally built as a refugee camp by the Dutch government before Nazi occupation.
- •Jewish inmates formed a camp police force and administrative staff under Nazi supervision.
History
Camp Westerbork was established in 1939 by the Dutch government as a refugee camp for Jews fleeing Nazi Germany and Austria.
After the German occupation in 1940, the camp's purpose shifted, and from July 1942 it came under Nazi control as a police transit camp.
Over the course of the war, it was used to deport over 102,000 Jews and 245 Roma to concentration and extermination camps in Germany, Poland, and Czechoslovakia.
The camp was commanded by SS officer Albert Konrad Gemmeker from October 1942 until April 1945.
The camp's organization included Jewish inmates in administrative roles under Nazi supervision.
Deportations continued until September 1944, after which the camp was liberated and later transformed into a memorial site.
Place Guide
Former Camp Grounds1939-1945
The original site of Camp Westerbork includes reconstructed huts and barracks where families and single inmates lived. Visitors can explore these areas to understand the living conditions and layout of the camp.
Memorial and Museum
The museum presents the history of Camp Westerbork through exhibitions, testimonies, and artifacts. It tells the stories of the more than 100,000 Jews and Sinti and Roma deported from the Netherlands during WWII.
Memorial to Sinti Families Weiss and Meinhardt2024
A memorial installed in May 2024 commemorates the Sinti families Weiss and Meinhardt, who lost many relatives to the Holocaust after deportation from Westerbork.
Contact
Phone: 0593 592 600
