Auschwitz & Birkenau

Auswicht was the first concentration camp I visit and It will probably be the last. I had not seen any even though there is one less than 30 km from where I live. For me was always clear that Auswicht was a must visit place.  

Knowing that it is now a busy place I decide to go as earlier as possible, becase I wanted to see it in silent.

 I got in around 8 am and I bought  a miniguide for (in all languages) that explain what you see in the blocks with permanent exhibitions.

 Even though I thought was mentally prepared because I have read a lot and have seen many films / documentaries… I did not matter, I spent the whole day with a heavy heart.

Starting with the permanent exhibitions, in the different blocks, you can piles of  shoes, clothes, bags, glasses, and hair from the women that when in, bed that are 60 cm width where 2 people had to sleep. I had tears in my eye. 

By the time I arrive to the crematorium the place was really overcrowded, for me was important to see this places in peace so I decided to move to Birkenau

To go to Birkenau you have to take a bus, it takes around 10 min. Spent several hours visiting this massive place, even though the nazis blew up many barracks and the crematoriums to hide their crime you still can see a bit an take an idea of how huge it was.

People were transport here from all over Europe by train, you can see an original cattle.

At the end of the tracks you will find the remains of the gas chambers .

One of the places that struck me most was the Canada pavilion where the belongings of the arrivals were seized by the SS. There is mural with family photos and portraits that the prisioners were carring with them.

The photo below is one of the women's barracks, around 10 women would sleep in one of those platforms. In each barrack would lived up to 600 people

At the end of the tracks you will find the remains of the gas chambers .

One of the places that struck me most was the Canada pavilion where the belongings of the arrivals were seized by the SS. There is mural with family photos and portraits that the prisoners were carring with them. 

This is not an easy place to visit, at least it wasn't for me, but on the other hand it should be obligatory  to avoid repeating past mistakes.

• From Krakow station take a bus to OŚWIĘCIM, the journey takes 1 hour and 15 min .
• You can buy the mini-guides in the shops just before the entry on the left.
• If you go before 10 or after 15 entry is free , if not , you will have to join a guided tour (aroun d 3,5h)