The building with the red-tiled roof in thebackground is the Jourhaus or gate house which was the only entranceto the Concentration Camp. The entrance through the gated archwayis large enough for an automobile to drive through. Notice theline of trees hiding the camp from the town residents. The groundsof the camp was originally a pine and fir forest which was clearedin order to build a munitions factory in World War I, which laterbecame the site of the Concentration Camp. The Roll Call Squarewas covered with gravel to prevent mud in the camp, accordingto Michael Selzer who wrote "Deliverance Day" aboutthe liberation of the camp.The prisoners would march across theAppellplatz (Roll Call Square) shown in the foreground, and outthrough the gate to work, often singing or marching to the accompanimentof music being played by the camp band. There were also workshopsin the camp. To see a picture of a Dachau prisoner at work, clickon the link below, or click on this picture to continue the VirtualTour.
Picture fromMuseum exhibit showing prisoner at work in Dachau camp