Students took part in an action packed day yesterday, including a visit to the Sachsenhausen Concentration camp, where more than 200,000 people were interned between 1936 and 1945. Sachsenhausen Memorial aims to communicate history to visitors in the very places where it happened, which made for such a poignant visit for our students to reflect on this crucial part of history, bringing what they have learned so far in their lessons to life.
Students visited Olympiastadion, taking in the incredible history during the Olympic stadium tour. Students learned how the old stadium was demolished and a new stadium built as the venue for the 1936 Olympic Games. At the beginning of the Second World War, the Reichssportfeld was converted to a bunker, a production site for detonators, a storage area for munitions, food and wine, and a back-up radio broadcasting site. At the turn of the millennium, extensive modernisation work began while the sporting events continued, including hosting the 2006 World Cup Final.
Students then visited the Reichstag Building, featuring the most breath-taking views over Berlin. The Reichstag is a historic legislative government building and the meeting place of the Federal Convention, which elects the President of Germany. This was built between 1884 and 1894. It housed both the Reichstag legislature of the German Empire and the Reichstag of the Weimar Republic. The building was initially used by the Reichstag for Nazi Germany, but severe damage in the Reichstag fire of 1933 prevented further use. The 1933 fire became a pivotal event in the entrenchment of the Nazi regime. The building took further damage during the Second World War and its symbolism made it an important target for the Red Army during the Battle of Berlin. After the war, the building was modernised and restored in the 1960s and used for exhibitions and special events, as its location in West Berlin prevented its use as a parliament building by either of the two Germanies. From 1995 to 1999, the Reichstag was redesigned for its permanent use as a parliament building in the now reunified Germany.
After a day of much walking and fresh air, not to mention learning so much about this incredible historic city, students took part in birthday celebrations for a member of our group before enjoying their evening meal and grabbing a good night’s sleep!
Students slept well, ensuring they are well-rested and ready for their final day in stunning Berlin.
