The Mauthausen Memorial Tour
and the Relevance of Seeing What Is Not Always Seen

More than just a trip to a historical location, a memorial tour to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp is an opportunity to face the constant influence of a past that continues to influence the present.

This encounter contributes an indispensable component to the cultural exploration of Vienna and Austria for tourists. National Socialists did not just persecute and hurt people in faraway camps; they did it in the middle of cities and landscapes we know today.

Mauthausen was the largest concentration camp on Austrian soil—a central site in the Nazi terror system. With more than 40 satellite camps, it established a vast network of mass murder, exploitation, and forced labor. Mauthausen is not merely a historical site; it is a deliberate foray into the memory cultures of Europe, Austria, the Jewish community, and Austrian-Jewish people.

For instance, few are aware that the Fasanenhof military barracks, which is situated just a few metres from Vienna’s renowned Schönbrunn Palace, was an official satellite camp of Mauthausen. Likewise, the Seegrotte in Hinterbrühl (Lower Austria) – now a peaceful tourist site – was once the location of a Nazi aircraft production facility using slave labor from KZ prisoners. These individuals were forced to build fighter planes in appalling conditions. Many did not survive.

The educational journey commences with the bus ride: Participants are provided with a meticulously curated booklet that provides an overview of the history of Mauthausen, National Socialism in Austria, and the plight of Jewish victims. Through the QR code and Wi-Fi on board, they are able to access a wider range of digital content, such as survivor testimonies, images, and maps.

A dedicated app with guided audio tours and background information is provided to participants at the memorial site, allowing them to explore at their own pace. Locations like the “Stairway of Death,” the quarry, and the Jewish memorial invite quiet reflection. On the return journey, a moderated group discussion enables people to engage in shared processing and dialogue.

This memorial tour is generously supported by the Claims Conference, in cooperation with the Austrian Federal Chancellery, the Federal Government of Austria, and the City of Vienna. Together, we seek to make memory visible – and to foster a future grounded in awareness, education, and human dignity.

FAQ Mauthausen-Tour

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the program of the Mauthausen Memorial Path. This way, you can quickly and easily access the most important information at a glance.

Participants receive an introduction to the history of the Mauthausen concentration camp during the bus ride, with a special focus on the Jewish perspective. We strongly encourage prior research. Recommended sources include the website of the Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung, teaching materials from Erinnern.at for school classes, and the “Lebenswege” website of the Mauthausen Memorial (https://lebenswege.mauthausen-memorial.org/).
In accordance with the recommendations of the Mauthausen Memorial, we suggest a minimum age of 14 years. For youths under 18, accompaniment by an adult is advisable. Visiting a former concentration camp requires both basic historical knowledge and emotional maturity. Our experience shows that participation from age 14 can be meaningful — however, this always depends on the individual’s personal development.
The day begins with departure from in front of Vienna’s City Hall (Josef Meinrad Platz 1); the drive to the Mauthausen memorial site takes about 2.5 hours. On site, you will have about 3 hours for an individual visit to the grounds — optionally using an app, audio guide, or a pre-booked personal guide. The return trip to Vienna also takes about 2.5 hours, during which you can participate in a moderated discussion session.
The app for the tour is available in the following languages: German, English, French, Hebrew, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Czech, Turkish, and Hungarian. It offers not only an audio guide with 24 stations at the Mauthausen concentration camp memorial but also virtual maps for orientation on the grounds.
Yes! The Mauthausen Memorial Path is open to individuals as well as school classes, students, and groups from other educational institutions. Thanks to the flexible design of the tour, the visit can be individually adapted to the needs and knowledge level of the respective group.

Remembrance. Responsibility. Humanity.

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