Experiencing History

For several years now, volunteer work camps have been helping to clear paths and secure the remains of buildings on the site of the former Zeithain prisoner of war camp. This makes it possible to walk around the site with visitors and explain the history of the camp. Remains of buildings as well as roads and paths have already been recovered. Further work is necessary, for example clearing and cutting free overgrown building sites and paths and renewing wooden shelters to protect the exposed building remains from the weather. The Ehrenhain Zeithain memorial commemorates the at least 25,000 people who fell victim to malnutrition and catastrophic conditions in the Wehrmacht prisoner-of-war camp from 1941 to 1945. As part of the German war of extermination against the Soviet Union, a prisoner of war camp was set up in Zeithain in 1941. Initially, only Soviet soldiers from the Red Army were held in the camp. At the time, Ukrainian and Russian soldiers fought together in the Red Army. Up to 30,000 of them died as a result of inhumane living conditions. From February 1943, the camp served as a central hospital for prisoners of war. Prisoners from other nations also arrived during this period. Italian soldiers formed a large group. The majority of them also died due to inadequate nutrition and poor medical care. The dead were buried in five cemeteries in the municipality of Zeithain. The memorial is located in one of the cemeteries. An exhibition and name plaques commemorate the victims of the camp. The area of the POW camp was completely cleared after 1945. The huge 66-hectare site is now part of the Gohrischheide nature reserve and is an unmanaged natural landscape. The aim of this work camp is to give young people the opportunity to familiarise themselves with archaeological challenges by researching the historical heritage, but also to acquire knowledge about forms of remembrance work.

You cook together. Money for the food shopping is provided to you. Vegetarian or vegan meals are possible. Please indicate any allergies when registering. You are accommodated in a clubhouse (usage only for the workcamp group) with several bedrooms and kitchen

The camp site and the village of Zeithain are located in a rural setting characterised by the Elbe river and surrounding floodplains. Zeithain is nevertheless very centrally located in the triangle between the major cities of Berlin, Leipzig and Dresden. All cities can be reached by public transport in around one hour. The nearest town is Riesa, 15 kilometres away. There is also a swimming lake in the neighbourhood. In Riesa you can go shopping, eat ice cream or sit in the beer garden by the Elbe. So you have many opportunities to organise your free time in a positive and varied way and get to know the surrounding area.