Auschwitz
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Cultural Experience,
Must-Do Experience,
UNESCO Heritage Site,
Cemetery,
Monument - Historical,
Museum
The Auschwitz concentration camp was established in April 1940 in the prewar Polish army barracks on the outskirts of Oświęcim. Originally intended for Polish political prisoners, the camp was 'repurposed ' as a dedicated center for the wholesale extermination of the Jews of Europe. For this purpose, the much larger camp at Birkenau (Brzezinka), also referred to as Auschwitz II, was built 1.25miles (2km) west of the original site in 1941 and 1942, followed by another one in Monowitz (Monowice), several kilometers / miles to the west. It is now estimated that in total this death factory eliminated some 1.6 million people of 27 nationalities, including 1.1 million Jews, 150,000 Poles and 23,000 Roma.
Auschwitz was only partially destroyed by the fleeing Nazis, and many of the original brick buildings stand to this day as a bleak testament to the camp's history. Some 13 of the 30 surviving prison blocks now house museum exhibitions, either general or dedicated to victims from particular countries or races that lost citizens at Auschwitz.
Latest Reviews
Review by Eric J, United Kingdom, May 2013
Doing what: Krakow Super Saver: Auschwitz-Birkenau Half-Day Tour plus Wieliczka Salt Mine Half-Day Tour
The trip to Auschwitz - Birkenau was too moving to express, but as ever very well organised. Enjoyed the Salt mine and a not to be missed experience if ever in Krakow.
Review by Lynnanne C, May 2013
Doing what: Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum Half-Day Trip from Krakow
Fantastic, albeit for terrible reasons. Very moving, everybody should bear witness to this atrocity. It is all of our responsibility to ensure this type of thing is never allowed to happen again.
Review by Joshua K, May 2013
Doing what: Krakow Super Saver: Auschwitz-Birkenau Half-Day Tour plus Wieliczka Salt Mine Half-Day Tour
Tour guides were fantastic, super helpful getting us too and from and made for an amazing trip. DEFINITELY RECOMMEND
Practical Info
Auschwitz is located in Oswiecim, a town not far from Krakow. There are buses between the two. The name Auschwitz is commonly used for the whole Auschwitz-Birkenau complex. In 2007, UNESCO altered the world heritage listing for Auschwitz from 'Auschwitz Concentration Camp' to 'Auschwitz-Birkenau', at Poland's request. Both Auschwitz and Birkenau are open to the public as Auschwitz is located in Oswiecim, a town not far from Krakow. There are buses between the two. The name Auschwitz is commonly used for the whole Auschwitz-Birkenau complex. In 2007, Unesco altered the world heritage listing for Auschwitz from 'Auschwitz Concentration Camp' to 'Auschwitz-Birkenau', at Poland's request. Both Auschwitz and Birkenau are open to the public as the State Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau . The museum's visitors center is at the entrance to the Auschwitz site. Note that visitor numbers from May-October are so great, that entry between 10am and 3pm is only with a guided tour. These should be booked at least two weeks ahead. Auschwitz II can be visited without a guide.
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