ARC Main Page Sobibor Camp History

Sobibor Photos

Last Update 2 May 2006

     
In order to give an idea of the camp, as many photos as possible we have compiled. Some show the former camp, others give you an impression of the today's state.
A photo says more than most other sources.
Source: ARC archive, if nothing else is mentioned.

GLOBOCNIK AT THE RAMP
Photo taken mostprobably in 1942. The ramp is still visible from the station, the fence not yet built.
It is still not clear who is leaving the cattle cars in the background.

Click on photo for enlargement.

Source and Copyright: Bundesarchiv Photo No. 146-1990-087-10


SS COMPOUND
This photo (probably 1944) still shows a white painted Schwalbennest (The Swallow's Nest), the commander's house, behind two remaining chimneys of the former SS kitchen and canteen barrack.
Also to be seen is the well in the centre of the SS compound and former four sided forester's tower still overlooking the death camp site and not dismantled until the 60's.

Click on photo for enlargement.

Photo: Michael Tregenza Collection


SHOEMAKERS AND SADDLERS BARRACK
Sobibor "Lager I" (the Jewish living/working area): shoemakers and saddlers barrack. To the rear of this photograph the dismantled Polish house reassembled in the camp and used as the "sewing workshop". To the left of this building the gate toward camp II (reception and sorting areas) is located.

Photo: Schelvis book. See our Sobibor books page!


THE CHAPEL
Sobibor chapel used as the Lazarett for shooting elderly or infirm arrivals. Behind this building the victims were shot into a long pit.

Lower photo - taken in 1943.



















Photos: Thomas Blatt.


RAMP AREA
This photo shows the ramp area probably in the 60's. In the background the new 3 sided watchtower ("Waldturm"). The former SS site is visible in the background.

Photo: GFH


RAMP #1
The ramp, seen through a window of the former commandant's villa.


RAMP #2
On the left, original rails remained. On the right the "Schwalbennest" is visible.


END OF THE RAMP
To this day, the buffer still remains at the end of the former ramp.


SOBIBOR STATION 1942
The station, just before setting up the death camp. Later the view from the ramp to the station was blocked by the barbed wire fence with interwoven pine branches.
This photo is an enlargement of a part of the Globocnik photo.

Source and Copyright: Bundesarchiv Photo No. 146-1990-087-10


SOBIBOR STATION
On this 1942 or 1943 photo German railway personnel is standing in front of Sobibor station. The building is still to be seen today, see the 2001 photo.

Click on photo for enlargement.


BARBED WIRE
The SS used some trees as fence poles. Original barbed wire was still visible in 2002.


REAR OF SCHWALBENNEST
The rear of the former commandant's house in 2002. The Germans called it "Schwalbennest" (Swallow's Nest). Now the Sobibor forester lives in the house.


DETAIL OF THE SCHWALBENNEST WALL
The original green paint remained since the war. Under the paint there is nothing but rough wood. A former white paint could have been wiped off because many Polish houses were painted with lime paint.

Click on photo for enlargement.


PUNISHMENT BUNKER
The former SS punishment bunker in 2002. It is located on the site of the former commandant's house.


GARDEN BEHIND THE SCHWALBENNEST
In the garden of the former commandant's house the well remained (left). In the background the high watchtower is to be seen. It was located in the center of the former camp.
The today's tower is slightly different from the original one, its location too. The old tower had four sides, the new one three.


WELL
One original well is still existing. It is located in the garden of the former "Schwalbennest".


STANGL PARTY 1942
Camp commander Stangl and some major SS men having a party in his house (the "Schwalbennest").

Photo: GFH


STANGL PARTY ROOM 2002
The room is used now as a kitchen. The window is nearly still the same as in 1942.


ARTIFACTS
A few artifacts of the former camp are shown in the Sobibor museum.


© ARC 2005