Feb 04 2009
Krakow, Poland Day Trip: Auschwitz-Birkenau
Auschwitz-Birkenau, the well-known concentration camp built by the Nazis in 1940, is approximately one hour away from Krakow.
The camp was actually a collection of three large camps (Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II—usually called Birkenau, Auschwitz III called Monowitz) and approximately 40 sub-camps. The sites were used by the Nazis as work camps, places to conduct medical experiments, and execution sites for thousands of people considered to be a part of an “inferior race” including Jews, Poles, and homosexuals.
Despite efforts of the SS to destroy evidence of their crimes (gas chambers and other damaging buildings were blown up, bodies were burned, and many documents were destroyed), many parts of the camps are preserved. The area now serves as a museum and a constant reminder of the damage that humans can inflict on each other.
The grounds and most buildings of Auschwitz I and II can be visited daily with opening hours varying according to the season. Visitors to the camp should allow approximately three hours to view the various aspects of the camp.
While visitors can tour the buildings themselves, taking a guided tour is ideal to learn the details of the atrocities, the history, and the repercussions of the events that occurred there. Personal guides can be arranged in advance or group tours are also available throughout the day (check out the website for more information on times).
Several tour companies in Krakow offer full-day tours to Auschwitz for reasonable prices including Cracow City Tours. The company offers a 6-hour tour in English for 90 PLN (approximately $30) which includes transportation from Krakow by bus, a documentary viewed on the bus, and a guided tour of the camps.
It is an eye-opening, shocking, and emotional trip for anyone—even those who know the history. It is not recommended for young children.
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Photo by Jennifer L. Price, www.jenniferlprice.com
visiting this will make it like what i just saw in movies become real, i do not know how would i feel but i have been to some smaller prison and concentration camp and my heart was beating pain. I understand why it is not recommended for children.
I must go to this place. There’s so much to learn and see.
It is certainly an eye-opening and haunting experience. I do hope that you all have a chance to visit site that represents a dark time in our world’s history.
whoever plant to vistit ‘Auschwitz’ should read in advance this book:
http://www.lass-uns-ueber-auschwitz-sprechen.de/index.html
Unfortunately it is available only in German yet,…
whoever plans to visit Auschwitz should read: http://www.lass-uns-ueber-auschwitz-sprechen.de/index.html
Unfortunately this book is only available in German yet….