Seeing the world means seeing all of it, the good, the bad, and the truly horrifying.
Background Information
Auschwitz is the largest and most infamous Nazi death camp to exist.
Divided into three main camps (Auschwitz “Auschwitz I,” Auschwitz-Birkenau “Auschwitz II,” and Monowitz “Auschwitz III,” it is estimated that more than one million Holocaust prisoners died here between 1940 and 1945 as part of the mass extermination of Jewish people by the hand of the Nazi party. Death came quickly to some, in the form of gas chambers, bullets, and such. But it came slower to others, through starvation, being worked to death, punishments, and cruel experimentations.
Altogether, it is said that 90% of the prisoners brought to Auschwitz-Birkenau died within its walls. The majority of these people were Jewish, but others included the Romani people, POW’s, and native Polish people, among others. Prisoners brought to the camp had their number tattooed on their arm. Although the tattooed numbers are somewhat of a symbol of the Holocaust, in truth, Auschwitz was the only camp where this was the norm.
Visiting The Camp
Do not take visiting the camp lightly. This is a memorial site, NOT a fun place to go visit with your friends and take selfies in. You must act respectful at all times and follow the rules in place. Additionally, the grounds can deal a heavy emotional toll – as such, it is not recommended for children under the age of 14 to visit.
Basic Things To Know
- Auschwitz is located near Krakow (about 60 km away) and can be accessed by train, bus, and car.
- Entry is free for individuals, but you must reserve your spot.
- Guided tours from the museum educators themselves does cost a fee, but this type of tour is highly recommended and also needs a reservation.
- Tours are available in seven languages: English, German, Polish, Spanish, French, Italian, and Hebrew.
- Large backpacks or purses aren’t allowed inside. However, there is on-site luggage storage you can use for a fee.
- Drones are not allowed.
- Arrive 30 minutes before your entrance time. Tickets are limited and are popular, and there are security checks.
- Duration depends on how long individuals want to stay, but if you’re in a group led by people from the museum, the tour will be around 3.5 hours. If you’ve done a tour with an outside group, it’ll likely still be around the same amount of time.
- Wheelchairs cannot be accommodated in some areas of the grounds.
- Bathrooms are available for a small fee.
- Guide dogs are allowed, but not other animals.
- Water bottles are allowed in, but no other food or drink. Smoking is also not allowed.
- There is a lot of walking, so wear sturdy shoes with this in mind.
- Auschwitz has no official dress code, but due to the subject material it is strongly advised to dress appropriately and respectfully.
A Note – respect is paramount when visiting, as such, there are rules and signs for where pictures are/aren’t allowed. Selfies are NOT permitted, nor is flash photography.
Auschwitz, or Auschwitz I
This was the main camp, as it was the first one established. It’s also the one with the famous iron gate that reads ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ or, ‘Work will set you free,’ as well as the camp with the reconstructed “death wall” where executions by firing squads took place.
Some of the prisoners were housed here (around 15,000-20,000), but it was also the home of the guards, officers, and commander in chief. Nowadays, this is where the tours start, as some of the blocks have been adapted to carry different exhibits for the museum and others have been preserved to be as they were during the time the camp was active.
For example, Block 10, where Josef Mengele conducted his horrific human experimentations on prisoners, and Block 11, where prisoners were punished, have been kept as they were. But Block 5 has been transformed in to a museum center where people can see the personal belongings left behind by the prisoners (clothes, shoes, and more), and Block 7 has been altered to represent the living conditions of the prisoners.
This camp is also notable for having the last standing crematorium and gas chamber, as the other ones in Auchwitz-Birkenau were destroyed by the Nazis before the Allied forces came in.
Silence is required at all times inside, and truthfully, you’ll be grateful for it, as the experience can be a bit overwhelming in person once you see the gouges left in the stone from prisoners clawing against the walls.
Auschwitz-Birkenau, or Auschwitz II
After Auschwitz I, you’ll visit Auschwitz-Birkenau (Auschwitz II). It’s roughly a 3 km walk between the camps and you can choose to walk there, or you can take the free shuttle located in the museum’s parking lot.
Built over the ruins of the Polish village of Brzezinka, Birkenau was the largest camp in Auschwitz (housing around 90,000), where it’s estimated that 90% of the deaths occurred.
The site is most recognizable for its train tracks that run through the ‘Hell’s Gate.’ Here, prisoners were brought to the camp and were separated from their families. Some were sent to their death immediately, others were put to work.
By the end of 1944, the Allied forces were closing in and the Nazi soldiers left in Auschwitz were ordered to try and destroy as much of the camp as they could. In the beginning of 1945 they deserted the camps, killing many prisoners, forcing others to march with them to other towns, and leaving some trapped behind.
This is why, when visiting, you’ll notice that there are no more crematoriums, although Birkenau had the majority of them. The ruins left in the camp are harrowing, but there are still some standing structures left that you can visit – mostly barracks, which you’ll notice are even more cramped than those in Auschwitz I.
After…
This visit will take an emotional toll on you. In most cases I found that after the tour, people didn’t want to talk to each other much and preferred to be with their own thoughts. It is a good time for quiet reflection.
Tip! – Don’t schedule anything else in the day after your trip to Auschwitz. You will not be in a good mental state and will likely need a break.
If visiting Auschwitz inspires you to learn more about it, here are some resources you can look at:
- Night, by Elie Wiesel
- The Tattooist of Auschwitz, by Heather Morris
- The Frankfurt Auschwitz Trial, 1963-1965: Genocide, History, and the Limits of the Law, by Devin O. Pendas
- Auschwitz – documentary
- The Zone of Interest – film
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Any questions? Comment below or contact me!