This post will be with my impressions and information, that is, without a story about the concentration camp in Auschwitz (I don’t know if this is necessary) and what happened there. Also there will be few photos. So that You can read this post quietly, nothing heavy in it not.
But a little later, I will separately post pictures of the concentration camp (or more precisely two concentration camps) in another post, here is their impressionable, perhaps not worth watching. Although, of course, photos, it is not Absolutely – I recommend to go on your own if you find yourself in Poland or somewhere close by.
The content of the article
- 1 Impressions from the concentration camps
- 2 Information to visit
- 2.1 Names Auschwitz, Auschwitz, Birkenau
- 2.2 Where to sleep in Auschwitz
- 2.3 Opening hours
- 2.4 Tour to Auschwitz
- 2.5 Cost of attendance
- 2.6 Where to eat
- 2.7 Map of Auschwitz
- 3 How to get to Auschwitz
Contents
Impressions from the concentration camps
Initially, this Daria really wanted to get to Auschwitz, since all of a sudden, she began to take an abrupt interest in this topic after after seeing the Berlin Wall. For several years now this interest does not disappear, so she knows much more than me in this matter. Unfortunately, in time she managed to go only in Majdanek (closer to Warsaw, in which we then lived), and in Auschwitz I drove. It was impossible to miss this opportunity more to the usual sights I am rather indifferent, and here a trip with meaning.
Moreover, the meaning is likely to be for everyone. Official the version says that about 1.4 million people were killed in Auschwitz. You just think about this figure, this population is quite large cities, or several small ones, including old people and children. The concentration camp is the quintessence of human cruelty, it is a place which can only come up in a sore imagination, this A place that is not understandable. Therefore, for some people visit Auschwitz will be a reboot, for others just unusual sight. One thing is clear, it will leave few indifferent and will not make you think about something, well, if, of course, a man came here voluntarily.
Honestly, I had a little other expectation from visiting concentration camps. I thought that there will cover me, restart, I understand something very important, or something else in this spirit will happen. But, nothing. Some other visitors cried (women mostly), but I have nothing inside, emptiness. That is, the head I understood how it was terrible what happened, but it was once upon a time, thank God it’s not with me and in general, does not concern me. May have affected seemed cheerful sun in the blue sky, warm weather, crowds of tourists with guides, creating an atmosphere of carelessness, security guards. But for me personally, it’s pretty hard It was to feel what was here. They say in Majdanek simpler, because there are few people there, and crows of flocks everywhere, escalating the situation, you want you do not want to present. However, in memory the trip stayed for a long time, various images still pop up head and periodically there is a desire to read something about camp.
A lot of people, good weather. Auschwitz 1.
But you know, I really didn’t want to admit even the thought that Suddenly I will stay here now, and the past will return, from such thoughts it becomes scary and I want to drive them to hell. Before the closing of the museum, when it was almost dark, I was alone for about one from the barracks (on the outskirts), then I could not go into it, not by myself somehow. This is me to the fact that there is some kind of internal protest against full immersion. That is, I do not know how it is possible to do it at all. Fully admit how to take and allow reality what happened, how can you believe it and try on yourself.
However, when you look at a certain thing of a prisoner, for example, plug, the thought begins to spontaneously spin the plot. what here is a particular real person who has used this thing he had a family, he had experiences, there were plans for the future, he wanted something and dreamed about something, his life was in the end. And then once, and there is nothing, once crossed out, and there is only desire to survive, most likely not fulfilled. For every such the subject is the story of human life, and sometimes not one.
In place of one of the barracks, what is preserved in the ground
On the other hand, is it necessary to plunge so deeply? Yes and Is it possible in principle? Maybe just enough to come, see, draw some conclusions for yourself (even logical) and go back home? I do not know. In the end, not the same live with a constant eye on how it happens, more important is that there is now. Ideally, one should learn to live, knowing how to value what is, even small, but at the same time strive to set goals with respect to its the current situation, not how it could be at the worst the scenario.
I will not tell historical data about gas chambers with crematoriums and stuff, all this is enough now in the network (maybe I will add later), so I’ll just give links to my photos from trips. It also makes sense to say that there are those who deny Holocaust. But for me, people in concentration camps were killed anyway. quite a lot (the nation is not of principle) and they survived there in inhuman conditions, this alone is enough to talk about it, remember and conduct excursions for the edification of future generations.
- Photo Auschwitz 1
- Photo of Ashvitz 2 (Auschwitz-Birkenau)
Information to visit
Of the site in English
Names Auschwitz, Auschwitz, Birkenau
To avoid confusion I will tell the main thing. Auschwitz is Polish the city, near which there are two camps Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II. Auschwitz is a German name, so the Germans renamed the city Auschwitz when captured these territories. When talking about Auschwitz concentration camp, then they mean exactly this complex of two Auschwitz 1 and 2 camps. Also Auschwitz 2 is often called Auschwitz-Birkenau or simply Birkenau. There was another camp Auschwitz 3 (a group of about 40 small camps at plants), but I did not see reports on their visit (perhaps not preserved).
The Auschwitz 1 concentration camp has a small territory and consists of two-story brick huts. Concentration camp Auschwitz 2 has an area 4 times more (do not cover everything with an eye), and most of the barracks in it was wooden, so there is little left (left only brick one-story and wooden renovation). It makes sense to see both camps. Because the first is impressive prisoners’ belongings and exhibits, and in the second scale everything that happens, as well as the reconstruction of the barracks where people lived (you can go inside and try to feel what it is like live).
Here is Auschwitz 1
Exposure in one of the barracks Auschwitz 1
This is how most of Auschwitz 2 looks
Reconstruction of the hut in Auschwitz 2
Where to stay in Auschwitz
Near camp Auschwitz 1 (opposite the entrance) there is a good hotel Olecki, where you can spend the night, either before visiting concentration camps, or after. It is also convenient due to the fact that it has free parking; you can throw the car, and calmly wander by attractions (if you can call them that).
Working hours
The opening hours of the museum Auschwitz-Birkenau varies from time of year or essentially from the dark. When it’s dark, there’s nothing to do in the camp, and There is almost no lighting.
From April 1 to October 31 from 10.00 to 15.00 entrance to the territory Auschwitz 1 only as part of excursion groups. Apparently too much people coming— And to enter the territory of Auschwitz 2 such there are no restrictions.
Concentration camps at Auschwitz
Excursion to Auschwitz
Time for everything about everything you need to lay at least 4-5 hours, and then more if you really want to see everything. I I spent about 6.5 hours and I almost had enough. Despite that the first camp is smaller in size I have been there longer by time, because there is more to see. In the second camp, I walked more, overcoming distances. Shoes take comfortable, will have to walk a lot (especially if you go to the second).
With a guided visit, it will be much faster, because the guide leads only on some objects. Also you will find out a lot of interesting, that is, do not have to read in advance the Internet. But Here during the tour, it seems to me, much less chance imbued, for all pretty quickly. In good or read in advance and use the on-site card without taking a guide, or take a guide and then take a walk without him.
Group tours are conducted mainly in English and Polish, every half hour / hour depending on the season (with November to March less often). In Russian there is only one group excursion at 11.30, it is held from May to August, costs 40 zł per person. However, you can book an individual excursion (in advance on the site already for 2 months), costs PLN 250 per group, time You can choose different, you can be up to 10 people. Excursion takes about 3.5-4 hours. During the tour you will be given headphones through which you will hear everything that the guide says, even if he goes ahead somewhere and does not turn his face to you, conveniently.
Excursion time to Auschwitz. Russians are rare here, so only on order
Headphones for excursions to the Auschwitz concentration camp
Cost of attendance
Entrance to the museum is free, that in the first camp, that in the second. But paid parking near each camp, toilets, luggage storage, tours.
The cost of parking around Auschwitz 1
Luggage storage costs 3 pln. You can’t carry something more handbags (30x20x10). And with the backpacks are not allowed even with urban, you can only go if they do not notice. Luggage storage located in Auschwitz 1, that is, it makes sense to start from this camp, leave there things, then go to Auschwitz 2, and then return. AT In November, the luggage room worked from 8 am until 5 pm I guess it works longer in other months, like the museum itself.
Between Auschwitz 1 and Auschwitz 2 there is a free shuttle bass. Time in about 10 minutes, runs every 15 minutes during the day, and every 30 minutes minutes in the morning and in the evening. Go about 2.5 km, that is, you can walk pass the.
Shuttle bass runs every 15 minutes between 12 and 17 hours
Shuttle bass stop in the parking lot Auschwitz 1
Where to eat
At the entrance to Auschwitz 1 sell water, sandwiches and other snacks, in Auschwitz 2 has a cafe in the parking lot. Although I would not say that there is a straight strongly want. There are also a couple of grocery stores and cafes. opposite the railway station Auschwitz. And not far from him in 10 minutes walking there is a large shopping center with Carrefour.
Auschwitz Map
Maps are clickable, open large images.
Map of the concentration camp Owencim (Auschwitz I)
Map of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp (taken from ushmm.org, but hardly this is the source)
How to get to Auschwitz
In order not to repeat, I’ll just give a link to the post where I painted several options for getting to Auschwitz on your own. Naturally, if you are by car, then this is not relevant to you, just put a point in the navigator and go. Map below to help.
P.S. One of the longest writing posts, but not because the text itself was written for a long time, but because I read various stories about Auschwitz, autobiography, watched videos and movies.
P.P.S. When I wrote “nothing” and “emptiness” I meant that from This wants to automatically shut out. But in the end, still for a long time there are all these pictures before my eyes, and the thought itself returns to what happened.
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