Testing trip day 2: La Risiera di San Sabba

Our next trip took us to Trieste on Italy's most northeastern border with Slovenia.  During WWII, Trieste served had a significant Nazi presence.  One example of that is found in an old factory that was converted into a concentration-camp type facility.

From their website: “Risiera di San Sabba” is a former rice-husking facility that was built in 1913. After September 8, 1943, the Nazi occupation forces used the premises as prison camp, headquarters where deported prisoners were sorted out to be sent to Germany and Poland, raided goods depot, prison and extermination camp for hostages, partisans, political and Jewish prisoners. On April 4, 1944 a crematory plant was installed and made operative. In 1965, a decree issued by the President of the Republic raised the “Risiera di San Sabba” to the status of National Monument. As of 1975, following restructuring interventions according to architect Romano Boico’s plan, the premises house the “Civico Museo della Risiera di San Sabba.” http://www.retecivica.trieste.it/triestecultura/new/musei/risiera_san_sabba/

This sobering visit helped us understand some of the horrors of war and man's inhumanity to man.

Street entrance.
During its time, prisoners entered close to here.

Area where prisoners made shoes and clothes for their captors.

Close up of above.
Up to six were held here normally political prisoners, partisans or Jews
to be executed in a few days.
This cell specialized in torture or property confiscation.   

Part of four-story building used as a holding cell
normally to ship prisoners to Germany. 

Same four-story structure as above.

View of the three & four-story buildings from the courtyard area

Building that housed the Nazi troops "employed" at San Sabba.
Outline in center and pool in front is where the crematory was.
An estimated 3000 to 5000 Jews and others were killed here. 

The plaque reads: In memory of those who knew how to accept suffering and death with courage and dignity.