Sobibor extermination camp
The Nazis paid great attention to the appearance of the Vorlager. It was neatly landscaped, with lawns and gardens, outdoor terraces, gravel-lined paths, and professionally painted signs. Its beautiful appearance helped hide the camp's purpose from new prisoners, who arrived on the ramp next to the Vorlager. Survivor Jules Schelvis recalled that when he arrived at Sobibor, he felt reassured by the Vorlager's "Tyrolean cottage-like barracks with their bright little curtains and geraniums on the windowsills".