Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945)
Unesco World Heritage

Location on Map

Introduction

The Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp, located in Oswiecim County, Lesser Poland Voivodship, Poland, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This site holds immense historical significance as it was one of the largest and most notorious concentration camps established by the German Nazi regime during World War II. The camp operated from 1940 to 1945 and is a grim reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust.

History

Auschwitz was initially established in 1940 as a concentration camp for Polish political prisoners. However, it soon expanded into a complex network of camps, including Auschwitz II-Birkenau, which became the main extermination center. The camp was strategically located near railway lines, facilitating the mass deportation of Jews, Roma, Poles, and other persecuted groups from across Europe.

The prisoners at Auschwitz were subjected to inhumane conditions, forced labor, medical experiments, and systematic extermination. The camp's gas chambers and crematoria were used to murder approximately 1.1 million people, the majority of whom were Jews. The scale of the atrocities committed at Auschwitz makes it a symbol of the Holocaust and a stark reminder of the depths of human cruelty.

Current State

Today, the Auschwitz Birkenau camp stands as a solemn memorial and museum, preserving the memory of the victims and educating visitors about the Holocaust. The site is divided into two main parts: Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau.

Auschwitz I, the original camp, now houses the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. Visitors can explore the barracks, gas chambers, and crematoria, which have been preserved to provide an authentic representation of the camp's conditions. The museum displays personal belongings, photographs, and documents that belonged to the victims, serving as a poignant reminder of their lives.

Auschwitz II-Birkenau, located around three kilometers away, is a vast area with remnants of the extermination camp. The iconic railway ramp, where prisoners arrived, still stands, evoking a sense of horror and despair. The ruins of the gas chambers and crematoria, destroyed by the Nazis in an attempt to conceal their crimes, are also visible.

The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum organizes guided tours and educational programs to ensure that the history and lessons of the Holocaust are not forgotten. These tours provide a comprehensive understanding of the camp's operations, the experiences of the prisoners, and the broader historical context.

Preservation and Significance

The preservation of Auschwitz Birkenau is of utmost importance to ensure that the memory of the Holocaust endures. The site was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, recognizing its universal value as a place of remembrance and education.

By preserving the physical structures and artifacts, the site serves as a powerful testament to the horrors of the Holocaust. It stands as a reminder of the consequences of hatred, discrimination, and indifference, urging visitors to reflect on the importance of tolerance, human rights, and the prevention of genocide.

Conclusion

The Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp is a haunting reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it plays a crucial role in preserving the memory of the victims and educating future generations about the consequences of hatred and intolerance. By visiting this site, individuals can pay their respects to the millions who lost their lives and ensure that the lessons of history are never forgotten.

Hotels and places to stay

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Hotel Imperiale

Address
Distance: 1,3 mi
Ul. Stanislawy Leszczynskiej 16
32-600 Oswiecim
Poland

Time Information

Checkout: 12:00 - Checkin: 14:00
Reception
Weekday: 0:00 - 24:00
Weekend: 0:00 - 24:00

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Olecki

Address
Distance: 1,3 mi
Ul. Stanislawy Leszczynskiej 16
32-600 Oswiecim
Poland

Time Information

Checkout: 12:00 - Checkin: 14:00
Reception
Weekday: 0:00 - 24:00
Weekend: 0:00 - 24:00

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Adria

Address
Distance: 2,4 mi
Ul. Wawelska 4
43-155 Bierun
Poland

Time Information

Checkout: 12:15 - Checkin: 09:12
Reception
Weekday: 0:00 - 24:00
Weekend: 0:00 - 24:00

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Hampton by Hilton Oswiecim

Address
Distance: 2,5 mi
Dabrowskiego St.
32-600 Oświęcim
Poland

Time Information

Checkout: 11:00 - Checkin: 14:00
Reception
Weekday: -
Weekend: closed

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Galicja Wellness & SPA

Address
Distance: 3,0 mi
ul. Dabrowskiego 119
32-600 Oświęcim
Poland

Time Information

Checkout: 12:00 - Checkin: 14:00
Reception
Weekday: 0:00 - 23:59
Weekend: 0:00 - 23:59

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Kamieniec

Address
Distance: 2,0 mi
Ul. Zajazdowa 2
32-600 Oswiecim
Poland

Time Information

Checkout: 10:00 - Checkin: 14:00
Reception
Weekday: 0:00 - 24:00
Weekend: 0:00 - 24:00

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Videos from the area

Dzień Pamięci o Zagładzie Romów (Muzeum Auschwitz)

Published: September 16, 2008
Length: 57:15 min
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Miejsce Pamięci i Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau

2 sierpnia 2008 r. W byłym obozie Auschwitz II-Birkenau odbyły się uroczystości Dnia Pamięci o Zagładzie Romów. Przypada on w 64. rocznicę likwidacji w Birkenau tzw. cygańskiego obozu...

KL AUSCHWITZ - BIRKENAU (OŚWIĘCIM) - Konzentrationslager

Published: October 22, 2009
Length: 04:53 min
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: szubieraj1

KL AUSCHWITZ II - BIRKENAU (Brzezinka) niemiecki obóz koncentracyjny na terenie Polski!. Drugi główny obóz zespołu był przede wszystkim obozem śmierci największym nazistowskim obozem...

Oswiecim (Auschwitz, Birkenau) (concentration camps), Krakow - Poland

Published: September 14, 2009
Length: 45:36 min
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Matej Tomčík

Our trip to Poland, 10.9.2009. We went to Oswiecim (Auschwitz, Birkenau) (concentration camps) and then to Krakow. These and more photos in full resolution can be found on my SkyDrive: http://rf...

Auschwitz II-Birkenau concentration camp, Brzezinka

Published: September 25, 2009
Length: 51:47 min
Rating: 0 of 5
Author: duck0nion

The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Oświęcim; Brzezinka, Lesser Poland, Poland, 2009-09-14; アウシュビッツ第2強制収容所（ビルケナウ）、国立アウシュビッツ・ビ...

The SS Watchtower, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland

Published: March 24, 2009
Length: 58:02 min
Rating: 0 of 5
Author: VideoHistoryToday

This is a small sample of the video clips showing views The SS Watchtower, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland taken from the Video History Today database. Please take a look at Video History Today...

Auschwitz II Birkenau (Part 1) Concentration Camp, Oswiecim, Poland

Published: June 05, 2009
Length: 17:36 min
Rating: 0 of 5
Author: VideoHistoryToday

This is a small sample of the video clips showing views of Auschwitz II Birkenau Concentration Camp, Poland (Part 1) taken from the Video History Today database. Please take a look at Video...

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