salaspils memorial ensemble

It is clear that Latvia has had more than its share of troubles and visiting the Camp Memorial really brings this home to visitors. We took a train journey, which was easily accessible, very cheap and not far from Riga - to a lonely spot - and disembarked alongside the woods, in the middle of nowhere, on a cold February day. I cannot imagine how desperate those who made the wartime journey must have felt. As other reviewers have said, the Camp is extremely difficult to find. There are no sign posts! My best advice is: check it out on google earth and get your bearings from the train line, stations, remote buildings and clearings. Although it is hard to find, I'd recommend persevering and remember, the struggle is nothing compared with those forced to be there more than 70 years ago. The statues and gate, in the forest, and the history are very thought provoking. For me, this was the most memorable and moving part of my visit to Riga. One tip though: remember to check the times of the return trains as there are no facilities at this place (no cafe or toilets etc) and you could have a 30 minute wait for a return train.

The day we were there was snowy and warm, all those sculptures were covered in snow and looked verry terifying. No one was there and "heartbeats" seem to be real. Try going, maybe you'll like it too.

We toured the Silaspils Concentrationn Camp memorial on a very rainy day but a beautiful rainbow appeared while we were at the site. The place is a very somber reminder of what the Latvians had to endure.

One Tip: You will hear heartbeat sound 24/7 if you listen carefully. A great place for studying history.

Although this memorial is not emphasized, it is an important place to visit and it holds an important place in history. It is moving to walk the actual grounds of such tragic events. We were there in the fall, with the leaves on the ground and it was beautiful and surreal, with the train nearby. I missed the sound of the gong that used to toll regularly and would love to see it restored!

Not the easiest place to find but worth the effort.Only cost 1.36 euros from Riga central train station to Darzini which took around 20 mins.From there cross over the railway to the side where the shelter is on the platform then walk behind that turning left then right on the tracks through the forest.After about 20 minutes or so you come to an opening where you see the memorial area although there are no signposts either on the way or once you get there.There are no remains of the camp but the huge Soviet-style monuments are very impressive.Unfortunately other than a small exhibition in the huge archway at the entrance there is no other information.There are also no facilities.There is also a big marble memorial stone from which a heartbeat-like metronome ticks eerily from within.A very peaceful setting in the forest-until a group of Russian children arrived with their parents, screaming their heads off and jumping on the memorials to the dismay of the decent-minded visitors.One other thing-the trains back to Riga,although on time,can involve a long wait back at Darzini station of well over an hour if you get there at the wrong time.

Others have written about how to get to the site. We got lost on the way there! The easiest route is to go to the eastern end of the up platform (i.e. cross over and walk to your right) and then follow the small path parallel to the tracks. After about 400m or so, there is larger path going at right angles to the left (away from the railway). Take this and walk straight on, crossing the grit road and then further for some 200m. Total time about 15min.The first thing one sees is the giant concrete block which you can enter. There are some pictures inside at the far end. Standing with one's back to this block and looking towards the socialist realistic statues in front, walk to the marble block about 200m away to the left. At the far end of this, listen to the metronome, although it seemed more like a heartbeat to us. Contnue to the smaller blocks to the left of the female statue by the birch tree to see the collection of toys left as a memorial to the large number of children kiiled here. A quiet place with memories that persist through the forest around.

A short journey on the train from Riga and then a 25 minute walk through the forest.Unfortunately there is little information about the camp just a few pictures on a wall.Check train times as there is often an hour between trains during the day to return to Riga.

Not to be compared with Auschwitz / Birkenhua but worth a couple of hours to visit. A 1.37 euro return ticket to Darzini from Central Station in Riga taking 20 mins. once off train, cross over track and go behind the only building in sight, walk for around 50 yards over a rise, then turn left. Basically turn right, with the railway lines on your right hand side until you come to a level crossing on your right, in the middle of nowhere. Turn left at these crossroads and after a few hundred yards its on your left. As said by others print off information off google as to what your looking at. A good trip to fill the morning or afternoon. Take drinks as there is no cafes etc.

The isolated location and powerful concrete monuments (especially the main piece) with the haunting heartbeat make for a solemn memorial. The problem is that very little context is provided. Nothing of the camp remains, and the visitor isn't even told where they are. Read up on the Salaspils camp before visiting.

Learning that from 1941-44 45,000 Jews and 55,000 other citizens were murdered here causes one to reflect on the atrocities and sufferings by/of so many humans. For me the 4 giant, block, Soviet style statues symbolizing "The Mother", "The Unbroken", "Humility" and "Solidarity" set in an open field speak for the dead and the living. Nearby is a lovely park with stones laid out in the shape of the Star of David which provides another opportunity for contemplation.

I truly find it difficult to write something of a negative review about such a site. It does take a bit of effort to get there but in all honesty, it didn't touch me as I'd expected. The main 'problem' here is the lack of any information whatsoever. The large strangely shaped building is I assume the exhibition, which was locked up. (maybe it's open in the summer?). Outside there is nothing in the way of information at all. Surely something telling you about the camp could be there. The stone plinth with a few flowers on it (no sign of the many toys others speak of) had the heartbeat. I know others have felt moved by this but again being honest, I felt it a little contrived, almost a gimmick. Obviously the huge statues are impressive. I was far more moved by the visit to Rumbula Forest Memorial just up the road, which did have some information at least to enable you to appreciate what occurred there. I believe that these memorial sites are there to educate people and to remind them of this dark period of history. I say it not to diminish what happened here but with no information at the site, really this could just be a grassed area with some large statues on it.

This is a location worth travelling to. On the site of a Nazi labour camp the communist authorities built 3 massive and imposing statues to the memories of those who lost their lives at the camp. The museum itself is in a poor state though. There is very little text or information to go on. It almost felt as though it was a place struggling to be remembered.

Simply breath-taking. Somber experience but well worth the trek. A little confusing to get to- make sure you print off a map of directions prior, theres no signage.

Went via Darzini on the train. A fair walk through the forest to find the place but straightforward enough. The statues and "heartbeat" fit right in with the atmosphere Left a toy bunny.