Auschwitz-Birkenau
The German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945)
Fences, barbed wires, watchtowers, barracks, gallows, gas chambers and crematoria all testify about the conditions under which the Nazi genocide took place in the former concentration and extermination camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest one in the Third Reich. Historical research has shown that in this camp, constituting a symbol of cruelty towards humanity in the twentieth century, ca. 1.5 million people, mostly Jews, systematically starved, were tortured and killed.
Every year, countless visitors pass through the camp main gate bearing the inscription "Arbeit Macht Frei" or "Labour makes you free". The visit comprises sightseeing of two camps: Auschwitz and Birkenau. Visitors are able to explore most of the land and buildings of the former Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau.
At Auschwitz I, the Nazis created their first camp for men and women, where the first lethal experiments using Zyklon B took place. This is where the first transports of Jews were murdered collectively; here, the first criminal experiments were conducted on prisoners, most executions by a firing squad were carried out. This is where the central detention camp in Block 11 for prisoners from all parts of the camp complex was located, as well as the main headquarters of the camp and the majority of SS offices. This is where the camp authorities managed a further expansion of the camp complex. Fences, barbed wires, watchtowers, barracks, gallows, gas chambers and crematoria all testify about the conditions under which the Nazi genocide took place in the former concentration and extermination camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest one in the Third Reich. Historical research has shown that in this camp, constituting a symbol of cruelty towards humanity in the twentieth century, ca. 1.5 million people, mostly Jews, systematically starved, were tortured and killed.
In Birkenau, the Nazis erected most of their mass destruction structures, in which about one million Jews were murdered. Birkenau was also the largest concentration camp (near 300 primitive, mainly wooden barracks), where, in 1944, more than 100 thousand prisoners lived; Jews, Poles, Gypsies, and others. Over an area of nearly 200 hectares, ruins of gas chambers are preserved, as well as places filled with human ashes, prisoner barracks, and kilometres of the camp fencing and roads.
Duration approximately 4,5 hours.
You can expect
- professional English-speaking drivers,
- roundtrip transfer,
- Tour guide and entrance fees are not included but our driver will help you with the arrangements.
What's included
- pick up from your hotel or from your place of choice,
- clean, comfortable, air-conditioned car,
- drop off at your hotel or any place near city center.