Sonnenstein Euthanasia Centre

Perched on the serene heights of the Sonnenstein hill in Pirna, Saxony, the Sonnenstein Euthanasia Centre, locally known as Tötungsanstalt Pirna-Sonnenstein, stands as a solemn reminder of a dark chapter in human history. This site, once a place of healing and care, was transformed into a center of unspeakable atrocities during the Nazi regime. Today, it serves as a memorial and a place of reflection, educating visitors about the horrific events that transpired here and honoring the memory of the victims.

The History of Sonnenstein Euthanasia Centre

The history of the Sonnenstein hill is long and varied. Originally, it was home to a fortress, which was later converted into a psychiatric hospital in 1811. This hospital gained a reputation for its progressive treatment methods under the direction of Ernst Gottlob Pienitz. Over the years, the facility expanded, and by the early 20th century, it had become a prominent state-run care institution.

However, the rise of the Nazi regime brought drastic changes. In 1928, Hermann Paul Nitsche, a proponent of racial hygiene and euthanasia, became the director of the hospital. Under his leadership, the institution began to implement policies of forced sterilization and food rationing for patients deemed genetically inferior. By December 1939, the hospital was closed and repurposed as a reserve military hospital and resettlement camp.

The Atrocities of Aktion T4

In 1940, as part of the Nazi's Aktion T4 program, the Sonnenstein Euthanasia Centre was established. This program aimed to exterminate individuals deemed unworthy of life, including those with mental and physical disabilities. The center at Pirna-Sonnenstein was one of six such facilities in the Third Reich, where more than 70,000 people were systematically murdered.

Under the direction of Dr. Horst Schumann and his team, including doctors with codenames like Dr. Storm and Dr. Bader, a gas chamber and crematorium were installed in the basement of the hospital's C 16 building. The facility was heavily guarded and surrounded by high walls and fences to conceal the atrocities within.

On June 28, 1940, the center began its grim operations. Victims, including psychiatric patients and prisoners from concentration camps, were transported to Sonnenstein, where they were led to the gas chamber under the pretense of taking a shower. Once inside, they were exposed to carbon monoxide gas, and their bodies were subsequently cremated. Over 14,751 people were murdered here between 1940 and 1941.

The Transition to the Holocaust

The Sonnenstein Euthanasia Centre also played a crucial role in the development of the Holocaust. In the summer of 1941, over a thousand concentration camp prisoners were murdered at Sonnenstein as part of Aktion 14f13, a precursor to the mass extermination of Jews in the Holocaust. The techniques and personnel from the euthanasia program were later utilized in the extermination camps of Aktion Reinhardt, including Belzec, Sobibor, and Treblinka.

In August 1941, the official euthanasia program was halted, and the gas chamber and crematorium at Sonnenstein were dismantled. The facility was then converted into a military hospital for the Wehrmacht. Despite the cessation of operations, the legacy of the atrocities committed at Sonnenstein continued to haunt the region.

The Memorial and Education Centre

After World War II, the horrors of the Sonnenstein Euthanasia Centre were largely forgotten, and the site was used for various purposes, including as a factory. It wasn't until the 1980s that efforts began to acknowledge and commemorate the victims. In 1991, the Gedenkstätte Pirna-Sonnenstein (Pirna-Sonnenstein Memorial) was established to honor the memory of those who perished here.

Today, the memorial includes preserved sections of the original buildings, along with exhibitions that provide detailed accounts of the events that took place. Visitors can explore the history of the site, learn about the victims, and reflect on the impact of these atrocities. The memorial also serves as an educational center, offering programs and resources to promote awareness and understanding of the Holocaust and the importance of human rights.

Visiting the Sonnenstein Euthanasia Centre

A visit to the Sonnenstein Euthanasia Centre is a profound and moving experience. As you walk through the grounds, you can feel the weight of history and the solemnity of the site. The exhibitions are thoughtfully curated, providing a comprehensive and respectful portrayal of the events and their significance.

One of the most poignant areas of the memorial is the former gas chamber, where the scale of the atrocities becomes starkly apparent. The memorial also features a wall of names, listing the known victims, and a series of plaques and markers that provide additional context and information.

In addition to the historical exhibits, the memorial offers guided tours, lectures, and workshops that delve deeper into the history and implications of the events at Sonnenstein. These programs are designed to foster a greater understanding of the past and to encourage visitors to reflect on the importance of tolerance, empathy, and human dignity.

The Sonnenstein Euthanasia Centre stands as a powerful reminder of the capacity for human cruelty and the importance of remembering and learning from history. It is a place of reflection, education, and commemoration, ensuring that the victims of these atrocities are never forgotten and that such horrors are never repeated. A visit to this memorial is not only a journey through history but also a call to action to uphold the values of compassion and justice in our world today.