Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

KZ Laura Memorial Site

KZ Laura Memorial Site

Highlight • Historical Site

KZ Laura Memorial Site

Recommended by 86 hikers out of 87

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Naturpark Thüringer Schiefergebirge/Obere Saale

Save

Location: Vogtland, Saxony, Germany

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Routes here

Best Hikes to KZ Laura Memorial Site

4.6

(7)

hikers

1. Oertel Villa (Abandoned) – KZ Laura Memorial Site loop from Lehesten

15.8km

04:31

370m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

4.6

(5)

hikers

2. Old Agent Gate – KZ Laura Memorial Site loop from Steinbach an der Haide

21.8km

06:16

530m

Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Expert

5.0

(2)

hikers

3. KZ Laura Memorial Site – View of Staatsbruch Lake loop from Lehesten

23.5km

06:43

540m

Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Expert

Tips

Andrea und Huskys 🐺

August 16, 2024

The buildings of the nearby farm owned by the Oertel family were expanded and used as accommodation for a total of 2,600 people. The prisoners came from ten nations, mainly from France, Poland, the former Soviet Union, Italy and Belgium. They were forced to work until they were exhausted under inhumane conditions. The hard work in the pit and the mistreatment claimed numerous victims; at least 560 people died in Laura. On the morning of April 13, 1945, the SS evacuated the camp; almost all of the prisoners were transported to the Dachau concentration camp; only a few sick people survived the liberation by the American army on the same day.

Translated by Google •

Andrea und Huskys 🐺

August 16, 2024

From September 1943 to April 1945, the subcamp of the Buchenwald concentration camp, codenamed "Laura", existed. After the Peenemünde rocket testing facility was hit by Allied air raids, the army command moved weapons production to mostly remote areas and underground. Prisoners transported from Buchenwald had to further expand the tunnel system in the former Oertelsbruch slate mine and build an underground oxygen plant in the rock in order to be able to carry out engine tests for the V2 rocket weapon on site.

Translated by Google •

Erdbeergiraffe 🍓

April 26, 2021

The subcamp of the Buchenwald concentration camp existed from September 1943 to April 1945 under the code name "Laura". It is located in close proximity to Schmiedebach in the Thuringian Slate Mountains. For tests of the V2 rocket weapon at the time, prisoners had to expand the tunnel system in the former "Oertelsbruch" slate mine. On the morning of April 13, 1945, the SS evacuated the camp and almost all of the prisoners were transported to the Dachau concentration camp. No entry is required to visit the memorial and you can move around the site very freely. Many signs give you information about the sad life in the camp.

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 650 m

Weather

Today

Saturday 25 October

8°C

6°C

70 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 22.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Vogtland, Saxony, Germany

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Oertel Villa (Abandoned)

Siebentälerblick

View of Leutenberg and Castle from Gustav-Fehler-Höhe

Altvaterturm

Cronebrunnen

Schieferpfad

Memorial Site Old East German Border

Luther's Blick Viewpoint

Former Border Observation Tower

View of Lehesten

Abandoned Village and Blue Lake Quarry in Naturpark Thüringer Schiefergebirge/Obere Saale

Lounger With a View of Lehesten

KZ Laura Memorial Site

1. Oertel Villa (Abandoned) – KZ Laura Memorial Site loop from Lehesten

2. Old Agent Gate – KZ Laura Memorial Site loop from Steinbach an der Haide

3. KZ Laura Memorial Site – View of Staatsbruch Lake loop from Lehesten

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️