"Stairway of Death" in Mauthausen Concentration Camp Too Dangerous: After Closure, Now Enter at Your Own Risk

Because the stairway no longer met safety requirements and facilities, it was closed seven years ago, which was criticized by national and international victim associations, the Comité International de Mauthausen, the Austrian Mauthausen Camp Community, and the Mauthausen Committee Austria. The stairway is important for educational work at the Mauthausen memorial site.

"Stairway of Death" at Mauthausen Concentration Camp Accessible Again: Maximum 300 People at a Time

A maximum of 300 people are now allowed to be in the fenced area at the same time. Signs with safety instructions in German and English inform visitors about what to pay attention to. The reopening of the stairway was made possible by an amendment to the Monument Protection Act, which provides for strengthening personal responsibility when entering protected areas. The concentration camp memorial confirmed a corresponding report on "nachrichten.at" on Wednesday.

During the Second World War, concentration camp prisoners had to carry granite blocks up the 186 steps. Many did not survive this, hence the name of the stone stairway.

(APA/Red.)

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