Flossenbürg Concentration Camp Memorial

The Flossenbürg Concentration Camp Memorial remembers the fate of the ca. 100,000 persons imprisoned in the camp complex. Working under extreme conditions imposed by the SS, they were forced to mine granite in the concentration camp's own quarry and, from 1943, to manufacture aircraft parts for the armaments industry. At least 30,000 of them did not survive their imprisonment.

The Memorial Site, established in 1946-47 on part of the former camp grounds, is one of the oldest in Europe. A number of the camp facilities could be preserved, amongst them the former commandant's headquarters, part of the detention yard, the crematorium, three watchtowers and the roll-call square. Flossenbürg is known worldwide as the execution site of the theologian and resistance figure Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

As a place of remembrance and learning, Flossenbürg has been continuously developed over the past 20 years. Two permanent exhibitions and an education centre have been created, and historical relics, especially in the area of the historic quarry, are being made accessible.

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2025 - 80th anniversary of the liberation

80^th anniversary of the liberation of the Flossenbürg concentration camp

To mark the 80^th anniversary of the liberation of the Flossenbürg concentration camp, some 900 international guests came to Flossenbürg on Sunday 27 April 2025 for the official ceremony alone. Among them were seven survivors and numerous relatives, some of whom also spoke on stage - after a very personal and warm welcome from the head of the concentration camp memorial, Prof Dr Jörg Skriebeleit.

The commemorative speech by Dr Markus Söder, Bavarian Prime Minister, included current political references. Other speakers included Claudia Roth, Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, Tobias Reiß, First Vice-President of the Bavarian State Parliament, Jiri Oberfalzer, Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Czech Republic, and the author Lena Gorelik.

Inspired by the previous speakers, Director of the Foundation Karl Freller spontaneously decided to give a free speech in order to express his feelings more authentically. He emphasised that remembrance and the promise of ‘never again’ must not remain empty phrases. "Especially today, in times of war and attacks on democracy, we are all called upon to carry on the voices of the survivors and to stand up for human dignity and freedom. Flossenbürg reminds us to remain vigilant - for a future without exclusion and hatred." The speech (in German) can be followed hier .

The Chamber Orchestra of the University of Regensburg, conducted by Arn Goerke, provided the musical accompaniment for the programme.

After the ceremony in the marquee, numerous wreaths were carried into the ‘Valley of Death’ with the participation of the guests. The urns with remains of former prisoners, which had only recently been found during construction work, were solemnly burried here. Anna Stolz, Minister of Culture and Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees, spoke moving words of remembrance, which were accompanied by an interfaith blessing.