A three-day half-term trip to Munich led by Mr Rohit Benjamin provided Harrodian’s GCSE History students with a deep insight into the city’s dark past, the birth of Nazi ideology, the rise of national socialism and the complexities of Germany’s history.
The 12 Harrodians on the trip took a thought-provoking walking tour of the Bavarian city, led by Mr Benjamin and Mrs Arnold, and discovered the sites that provided backdrops to Adolf Hitler and his followers as they set about founding the Third Reich. En route they visited the Munich Documentation Centre, a museum that focuses on the history and consequences of the National Socialist regime and the role of Munich as capital of the movement.
The first journey outside Munich was an outing to the Nuremberg Documentation Centre, a museum that provided in-depth information about the causes, context and repercussions of the National Socialist reign of terror. After coming out of the museum, they walked around the Nazi Party Rally Grounds (Kongresshalle) where they were able to see the remains of the huge stadiums built to stage propaganda events and gained invaluable insights into the power dynamics that characterised the Nazi party’s rise to prominence. Following this, they enjoyed free time around Nuremberg, exploring the imperial castle and walled Old Town.
I found the visit to Nuremberg rally grounds particularly fascinating; it was a real insight into the unfolding of the Nazi party era and the power play involved
Sophie W, 15s (SEE BELOW FOR FULL TESTIMONIAL)
The final day took a more sombre turn with a visit to Dachau, which was one of the first and longest operating concentration camps built to house political opponents of Hitler’s newly installed government of 1933 and a grim prototype for the death camps of the Holocaust that followed some years later. A mournful and haunting memorial, it served as a powerful reminder of the atrocities committed during World War II and undoubtedly made a deep impression on pupils and staff alike.
Visiting Dachau was both the best and worst experience, it was a reflective and emotional day that I will never forget
Jack G, 15s (SEE BELOW FOR FULL TESTIMONIAL)
Respite from the Third Reich was provided by an interactive and more lighthearted trip to Berchtesgaden’s ancient Salt Mines with its slides, trains and laser light show.
PUPIL TESTIMONIALS
Sophie and Jack, two History GCSE students in the 15s share their perspectives on the trip.
“The trip gave me a deeper understanding of Germany’s history. I found the visit to Nuremberg rally grounds particularly fascinating; it was a real insight into the unfolding of the Nazi party era and the power play involved,” Sophie says. “I have shortlisted History as a subject for A Level, so going on the trip has given me invaluable background for future studies.”
Jack (15s) is equally enthusiastic about the trip, describing it as ‘powerful’ and ‘life-changing.’ “Visiting Dachau was both the best and worst experience, it was a reflective and emotional day that I will never forget,” he shares. Both feel that they learnt a huge amount in a short time and are keen to emphasise how immersive educational experiences like this trip are so important.