"Auschwitz concentration camp" Oswiecim by midnight_mike

Auschwitz concentration camp in Oswiecim is not something anyone would "want" to see. But it definitely is something people "have" to see to make sure such an attrocity never happens again. Over a million people were killed here.

When they entered Auschwitz, prisoners read a sign over the front gate that reads "work makes you free" in German. Several buildings still exist, from sleeping quarters to the crematory. There are many displays detailing the horrors that took place within the camp. In one buiding, there is a breakdown of every nationality of the prisoners. In addition to Jews, many gypsies from Romania and other parts of Europe were killed at Auschwitz.

The town of Oswiecim is a very depressing place. Krakow is only about an hour away by train. From the Oswiecim train station, you can either take a taxi to Auschwitz or walk. If you do walk, it will take about 20 minutes. Birkenau concentration camp is nearby, but after visiting Auschwitz you might not be in the mood to see anything else. It is really hard not to be affected by this place. When I was there, I felt like I could feel the hopelessness of the people trapped there. Even if they escaped, there was nowhere to run.