Ruqayyah Snyder
Mauthausen is a small market town in Upper Austria, about 20km east of Linz. It is known for being the site of one of the most notorious Nazi concentration camps during World War II. The camp was established in 1938, shortly after Austria was annexed to Nazi Germany, and was liberated in 1945 by the United States Army. Today, the Mauthausen Memorial and museum are open to visitors year-round, with guided tours available. The town itself offers picturesque views along the River Danube, with peaceful restaurants and cafes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Mauthausen, Upper Austria, 12.5 miles northwest of the town center, 12 miles east of Linz |
| Transportation | Take a train to Linz and from Linz station take bus number 360 or 361 to the memorial site |
| Admission | Free, but guided tours require tickets |
| Tour Options | Audio guide, virtual guide, private tour |
| Exhibits | Outdoor memorial sculpture garden, exhibition, visitor center with a reference library and book shop |
| History | One of the most notorious Nazi concentration camps, established in 1938, liberated in 1945 |
| Notable Figures | Francisco Boix, Oswald Pohl |
| Notable Works of Art | Mauthausen Trilogy, Resistance at Mauthausen, The Quality of Mercy |
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What You'll Learn
Visit the Mauthausen Memorial Centre
The Mauthausen Memorial is located in the small market town of Mauthausen, northwest of the town centre. It is roughly 12.5 miles (20 kilometres) from the city of Linz, in Upper Austria. The memorial is open all year round, but visitors should be aware that the outdoor memorial sculpture garden is best visited during the warmer months. It is a good idea to arrive early in the morning to avoid the tour groups, but the site rarely gets too crowded.
The Mauthausen concentration camp was the main hub for acts of persecution committed by Nazis in Austria. The camp was founded by a private company as an economic enterprise, but it was controlled by the German state from the beginning. The site was chosen for its nearby granite quarry and proximity to Linz. The camp operated from 8 August 1938 until 5 May 1945, when it was liberated by the United States Army. During this time, the camp and its subcamps expanded to nearly 100 locations throughout Austria and southern Germany.
The camp at Mauthausen was built and run by inmates as slave labour. In October 1941, several huts in the Gusen subcamp were turned into a separate Prisoner of War Labour Camp, which mostly held Red Army officers. The Mauthausen and Gusen camps rented inmates out to local businesses as slave labour. In March 1944, a former SS depot was converted into a new subcamp named Gusen II, which served as an improvised concentration camp until the end of World War II.
Admission to the museum is free, but guided tours require tickets. Virtual guides are available through a smartphone app, and audio guides can be purchased for a fee. The visitor centre has a reference library, a book shop, and a bistro. To get to the memorial, you can take either the #360 or #361 bus from Linz train station. Both bus routes stop approximately 1 mile (1.6 kilometres) from the museum. Between April and November, the #361 bus runs several times a day to the museum entrance.
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Explore the town of Mauthausen
Mauthausen is a small market town in Upper Austria, located roughly 12 miles (20 kilometres) east of the city of Linz. The town is situated along the picturesque Danube River and is known for its peaceful and quiet atmosphere. Here are some tips for exploring Mauthausen:
- Visit Heindlkai: Stroll along Heindlkai, a picturesque street along the Danube River. Despite the busy road between Kai and the river, the area offers a relaxing experience with beautiful buildings, restaurants, and cafes.
- Explore the Town's History: Mauthausen has a rich history dating back to the Neolithic age and the Roman Empire. Visit the Roman tower and the local church to get a sense of the town's ancient past.
- Mauthausen Memorial and Museum: The Mauthausen Memorial and Museum are located northwest of the town centre. The memorial is open year-round, but the outdoor memorial sculpture garden is best visited during warmer months. The museum offers a sobering exhibition, providing insight into the town's dark history as the site of a Nazi concentration camp during World War II.
- War Cemetery: During World War I, a prisoner-of-war camp existed to the east of Mauthausen. Today, a war cemetery stands in memory of the Italian, Serbian, and Russian soldiers who perished there.
- Stairway to Death: Learn about the infamous "Stairway to Death" at the concentration camp, where inmates were forced to carry heavy stone blocks up 186 steps from the camp quarry.
- Nearby Attractions: Mauthausen is conveniently located near other notable Austrian destinations. Linz, a cozy city with a charming local feel, is just a short distance away. Salzburg, a popular tourist destination, is also within reach and offers attractions such as the Ice Caves in Werfen, the largest ice caves in the world.
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Take a guided tour of the concentration camp
The Mauthausen Memorial is located about 12 miles (20 kilometres) from the city of Linz in Upper Austria. The site is dedicated to the memory of the 90,000 people who died at the camp and its subcamps out of a total of 190,000 people imprisoned there between 1938 and 1945.
The guided tour begins at the Visitor Centre opposite the car park. The first stops on the tour are the road below the camp wall, the top of the quarry, and the memorial park on the site of the former SS camp. The tour then continues inside the former prisoner camp. This route enables visitors to understand the route taken by the prisoners, to engage critically with the perspectives of the perpetrators, and to reflect on how the concentration camp was viewed by the wider population during the Nazi era. The guides are all specially trained educators who encourage interaction and openness among visitors.
The tour includes a visit to the Wiener-Graben Quarry, the SS-Quarters, the prisoners' barracks, and the recently re-opened Mauthausen Museum. Visitors can also see the Stairs of Death, the Camp Prison, and the Gas Chamber. The Mauthausen concentration camp was the main hub for acts of persecution committed by Nazis in Austria, but there were also nearly 100 subcamps around the country that served as its branches. The Gusen concentration camps, for example, held a significant proportion of prisoners within the camp complex, sometimes exceeding the number of prisoners at the Mauthausen main camp.
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Learn about the camp's history
The Mauthausen concentration camp was a German Nazi camp on a hill above the market town of Mauthausen, roughly 12 miles (20 kilometres) east of Linz in Upper Austria. It was the main camp of a group with nearly 100 further sub-camps located throughout Austria and southern Germany. The Mauthausen main camp operated from 8 August 1938, several months after the German annexation of Austria, to 5 May 1945, when it was liberated by the United States Army.
The site was chosen because of the nearby granite quarry and its proximity to Linz. Although the camp was controlled by the German state from the beginning, it was founded by a private company as an economic enterprise. The owner of the Wiener-Graben quarry was a DEST Company: an acronym for Deutsche Erd– und Steinwerke GmbH, led by high-ranking SS official Oswald Pohl. The company rented the quarries from the City of Vienna in 1938 and started the construction of the Mauthausen camp. A year later, the company ordered the construction of the first camp at Gusen. The granite mined in the quarries had previously been used to pave the streets of Vienna, but the Nazi authorities envisioned a complete reconstruction of major German towns.
In August 1938, the Inspectorate of Concentration Camps transferred approximately 300 prisoners, mostly Austrians and virtually all convicted repeat offenders or persons whom the Nazi regime classified as "asocials", from Dachau concentration camp to the Mauthausen site in order to begin construction of the new camp. By the end of 1938, Mauthausen held nearly 1,000 prisoners, still virtually all convicted criminals and asocials. Three months into World War II, in December 1939, the number had increased to over 2,600 prisoners, including convicted criminals, "asocials", political opponents, and religious conscientious objectors. In 1941, the SS started to construct a gas chamber and other installations at Mauthausen for the systematic murder of large groups of people.
During the second half of the war, the prisoners, who now included women for the first time, were increasingly used as forced labourers in the arms industry. Mauthausen and its sub-camps included quarries, munitions factories, mines, arms factories, and plants assembling Me 262 fighter aircraft. The conditions at Mauthausen were even more severe than at most other Nazi concentration camps, with half of the 190,000 inmates dying at Mauthausen or its sub-camps. Mauthausen was one of the first massive concentration camp complexes in Nazi Germany, and the last to be liberated by the Allies.
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Visit the nearby city of Linz
If you're visiting Mauthausen, Austria, a trip to the nearby city of Linz is a must. Linz is a beautiful city located on the river Danube, just 12.5 miles (20 kilometres) from Mauthausen. Here are some things you can do and see during your visit to Linz:
Explore the City Centre
Take a stroll through the historic city centre of Linz and admire the beautiful architecture. Be sure to check out the main square, with its lively atmosphere, charming cafes and restaurants. The city centre is also home to the Linz Tourist Information Centre, where you can find maps, brochures, and other useful information to enhance your visit.
Visit the Pöstlingberg Basilica
Take a short trip to the mountain station of the Pöstlingbergbahn and visit the pilgrimage basilica, Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows. This 18th-century church is a landmark of Linz and offers stunning views of the city, especially from the nearby viewing platform. The basilica is a popular site for weddings and is free to enter.
Discover the City's History
Linz has a rich history, and you can learn more about it at the Linz City Museum (Stadtmuseum Linz). The museum offers a glimpse into the city's past through various exhibits and collections. While you're there, don't miss the opportunity to explore the historic Old Town, with its charming cobblestone streets and medieval architecture.
Stroll Along the Danube River
Take a relaxing walk along the Danube River, which flows through Linz. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and beautiful views of the riverfront, with its picturesque bridges and waterfront attractions. You can also dine at one of the many restaurants and cafes along the river, offering a unique dining experience with stunning views.
Explore the Local Culture
Linz is a cultural hub, offering a variety of artistic and cultural experiences. Visit the Linz Castle, which houses the Castle Museum and the Upper Austria Culture Museum, showcasing the region's artistic and cultural heritage. The city also hosts various festivals and events throughout the year, celebrating music, art, and local traditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Mauthausen is a small market town in Upper Austria, roughly 12 miles (20 kilometres) east of Linz. The town is known for being the site of one of the most notorious Nazi concentration camps. The camp is now a memorial and museum, which is open all year round.
The camp has an exhibition, a memorial sculpture garden, and an outdoor memorial. Visitors can also see the "Staircase of Death", where prisoners were forced to carry heavy stone blocks up 186 steps from the camp quarry.
If you are coming from Linz, you can take the #360 or #361 bus to the Mauthausen Linzerstraße/Hauptschule or Linzerstraße/Wasserwerk stop, and walk for around 1 mile (1.6 kilometres) to the museum.
