"Auschwitz-Birkenau" Top 5 Page for this destination Oswiecim by Paul2001

Oswiecim Travel Guide: 405 reviews and 858 photos

Auschwitz-Birkenau. Gateway to Birkenau - Oswiecim

You have come to Oswiecim for just one reason and that is to visit the concentration camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau and to homage to nearly 2,000,000 people who were murdered here by the Nazi regime.
From the summer of 1940 to January 1945 Auschwitz and its annex camp Birkenau were the final destination for all who were targets of hatred as seen by Hitler and his followers. This included initially political enemies but soon included the Jews. About 90 per cent of those killed at these camps were in fact Jews whom Hitler believed were the source of all that was evil in the world. The killing went on until the camp was liberated by the Soviet Red Army in January 1945.
Today the site has been tranformed into a museum which should be visited by all civilized people as an educational experience. Auschwitz serves as a reminder of easily a so-called civilized people can easily slip into state of barbarity when we lose ourselves in hate.
I visited Auschwitz on an unusually cool day with a thick overcast. I had a cold and generally was not feeling well. Naturally this intensified the sullen mood of the place. However the somber emotions I felt well taking a tour of Auschwitz would have hardly changed if the weather was perfect. Each exhibit is well enough displayed so as you never lose a sense despair for the people that suffered here.
I also visited Auschwitz on a tour which, is rare for me. I usually do not take tours but the one I took was quite informative.

Last visit to Oswiecim: Sep 2002
Intro Updated Aug 19, 2003
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Reviews (12)

The Birkenau Barracks Things to Do (11)

Since Birkenau was pretty much a makeshift facility for the purpose of extermination millions, the Nazis gave little... more travel advice

Auschwitz Barrack Toilets Things to Do (11)

The laterines that the inmates had to use would have been vile places. These are toilets found in one of the few... more travel advice

Birkenau Favorites (1)

Birkenau was a second camp built by the Nazis a couple of kilometers from the original camp at Auschwitz. Auschwitz was... more travel advice

Auschwitz Shorn Hair Things to Do (11)

One of the more upsetting images of Auschwitz is the piles of shorn hair of the victims of the death camp. Before... more travel advice

Comments (16)

balhannah Jan 4, 2010 at 4:31 PM Report Abuse

An excellent page on a very sad part of history.
Grazina Apr 23, 2007 at 8:12 PM Report Abuse

Wow! It amazing that the world didn't do anything soon to prevent this evil...Thanks to those countries that step in to save the remnant of God's people (Jewish Nation).
scottishvisitor Aug 31, 2006 at 8:36 AM Report Abuse

A sad reminder of the past & a place of warning for the future
Sue08080 May 27, 2006 at 7:48 PM Report Abuse

We visited Birkenau some years ago. I've yet to write about it. Thank you, Paul
traveldave Jun 20, 2005 at 4:29 PM Report Abuse

Although most of us usually travel for pleasure, this is an example of how travel can be a learning experience, and not necessarily pleasurable.
deecat Apr 18, 2005 at 12:26 PM Report Abuse

A somber reminder, an ironic situation, a sad memorial to a disgusting period in world history. Your straightforward presentation is the perfect method of broadcasting the message of "Never Again". Thank you, Paul.
magor65 Feb 1, 2005 at 12:58 PM Report Abuse

60 years after the liberation of Auschwitz some people seem not to know enough about what happened there. Some call the place ' a Polish concentration camp'. But luckily others, like you, not only care but also want to tell others about this place.
Stephen-KarenConn Jan 3, 2005 at 9:58 AM Report Abuse

Chilling! Sobering! Unsettling! I agree - we need to remember.
blint Nov 10, 2004 at 1:15 AM Report Abuse

Great page. We NEED to remember.
CALSF Aug 21, 2004 at 2:05 PM Report Abuse

What a very moving and well-written page this is. I was affected alone by Paris's Memorial de Martyrs de La Deportation; I can't imagine the feeling I'd get if I visit Auschwitz.