Bathorn Memorial Camp - Hoogstede

The former Bathorn camp was one of the Emslandlager established in the 1930s and 40s in the vast boglands. These camps were initially built for political prisoners and later also held prisoners of war and forced labourers. Around Bathorn, the main work was the draining and cultivation of the moor, a tough and dangerous task. The harsh conditions and rugged landscape are an essential part of the story Bathorn tells today.

Today, little remains of the original camp structures, but the site has been transformed into a quiet place of remembrance. Information boards and maps help you understand the camp’s purpose, who was held here, and how the landscape was altered through forced labour. During your visit, you can look out across the open peatlands and imagine how remote and exhausting life must have been here.

At the back of the site, you’ll find the boardwalk, part of Kunstwegen Bathorn. These wooden paths follow the exact ditches once dug by prisoners.