: Tours and Excursion

Stutthof Museum and Memorial, originally established as Konzentrationslager Stutthof or KL Stutthof, was the first Nazi concentration camp set up outside German borders in 1939. Located near the village of Sztutowo, this site serves as a somber reminder of the tragedies of World War II and the Holocaust. Visitors coming to pay their respects and learn about the harrowing history of the camp often find that walking the grounds with a private guide provides essential context and a respectful narrative of the events that occurred here. The site includes the original barracks, the crematorium, the gas chamber, and a museum containing artifacts and documents from the camp's operation.

A History of the First Stutthof Camp

Initially used as an internment camp for civilian prisoners, Stutthof eventually became a large-scale concentration camp where over 110,000 people were held. The harsh conditions, forced labor, and systematic extermination resulted in the deaths of approximately 65,000 prisoners. The museum's exhibitions detail the expansion of the camp, the daily life of the inmates, and the brutal administration of the SS. The preserved command post and the watchtowers stand as silent witnesses to the atrocities. Understanding the strategic role of Stutthof in the Nazi machinery is vital for grasping the full scope of wartime history in the Baltic region.

The Memorial and Educational Mission

The Stutthof Museum was founded in 1962 at the initiative of former prisoners. Its primary mission is to preserve the memory of the victims and educate the public about the dangers of totalitarianism. The permanent exhibitions include personal items belonging to the prisoners, such as shoes, suitcases, and clothing, which humanize the statistics of the tragedy. Exploring the educational archives with a private guide allows visitors to dive deeper into the individual stories of resilience and suffering that define the Stutthof legacy. The site also features a large monument dedicated to the victims, which serves as a focal point for annual commemorative ceremonies.

Preserved Structures and the Path of Memory

The tour of the grounds typically follows the path that prisoners would have taken upon arrival. This includes the Death Gate, the quarantine area, and the workshops where prisoners were subjected to grueling labor. The gas chamber and crematorium are particularly haunting reminders of the camp's final stages as an extermination center. The museum also provides information on the Death Marches that took place during the evacuation of the camp in early 1945, when thousands more perished in the freezing cold. The preservation of these structures ensures that the history of Stutthof is never forgotten.

Nearby Points of Interest

• Sztutowo Beach: A beautiful and serene stretch of the Baltic coast located just a few kilometers from the museum.
• Vistula Spit Museum: A local museum dedicated to the history of the region and the unique geography of the Vistula Lagoon.
• Stegna Forest: A lush forested area offering walking and cycling trails through the coastal landscape.
• Stegna Rope Park: An outdoor adventure park located in the nearby town of Stegna, popular for active recreation.
• Amber Museum in Stegna: A small but fascinating museum showcasing the history of amber mining and craftsmanship in the area.

Guided Tours and Remembrance

Visiting a site of such historical gravity requires sensitivity and a deep understanding of the facts. Our professional private guides offer a compassionate and informative approach to touring the Stutthof Museum and Memorial. They provide the necessary historical background to help visitors process the difficult history of the site while ensuring that the memory of the victims is honored with the utmost respect.