Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II Birkenau

Embark on a profound journey to Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II Birkenau, where history’s darkest hours are preserved. This tour offers a deep dive into the complex that has become a global symbol of the Holocaust, providing insights into the lives and deaths of the victims and survivors of the Nazi genocide. This essential visit serves not only as a lesson in history but as a stark reminder of the horrors humanity must never forget or repeat.

Auschwitz I: The Main Camp Your tour begins at Auschwitz I, the original camp, which served as the administrative center for the Auschwitz complex. Here, you will walk through the infamous gate bearing the cynical slogan, “Arbeit Macht Frei” (Work Sets You Free). Inside, you’ll explore various preserved buildings and exhibitions that detail the mechanisms of the camp’s operation and the everyday lives of the prisoners.

• Exhibition Halls: Former prisoners’ blocks now house a series of exhibitions, each dedicated to different aspects of the Holocaust and specific prisoner groups. These exhibits include personal belongings, photographs, documents, and artworks created by the prisoners, providing a poignant glimpse into their experiences.
• The Death Wall: Visit the courtyard between Blocks 10 and 11, known as the Death Wall, where thousands of prisoners were executed. This site is a chilling reminder of the cruelty endured by the inmates.
• The Gas Chamber and Crematorium: See the only surviving gas chamber and crematorium complex within the camp. A silent testimony to the atrocities committed, it stands as one of the most harrowing sites in the complex.

Transition to Auschwitz II Birkenau A short bus ride takes you to Auschwitz II Birkenau, approximately 3 kilometers from Auschwitz I. This camp was constructed to expedite the Nazi plan for the final solution. Birkenau was primarily a death camp, with a much larger scale of destruction, including four gas chambers and crematoriums that operated at an industrial scale.

• The Gate of Death: Enter through the railway gate, where trains transported Jews and other prisoners directly into the camp from all over Nazi-occupied Europe. This entrance symbolizes the final journey of up to one million people who entered the camp.
• Selection Ramp/Platform: Visit the selection ramp/platform, the critical site where the SS conducted the selection process, determining the fate of thousands upon their arrival by train—deciding who would be sent to work and who would be sent directly to the gas chambers.
• Barack Housing: Walk through the remnants of the wooden or brick barracks where prisoners lived in inhumane conditions. The sheer size of the camp and the preservation of these structures offer a stark visual understanding of the scale of suffering that occurred.
• Ruins of Gas Chambers and Crematoria: The ruins of the gas chambers and crematoria, blown up by the Nazis in an attempt to hide their crimes, are a somber visit on the tour. The remains give a sense of the industrial nature of genocide practiced here.

Reflective Conclusion The tour concludes at the main gate of Auschwitz II Birkenau, not far from the infamous railway gate known as the “Gate of Death.” This location allows for a moment of reflection as you prepare to exit the camp, providing a poignant reminder of the countless individuals who passed through this gate under unimaginable circumstances. Here, you will have time to contemplate the profound impact of the Holocaust and the enduring need to remember these events. The solemnity of the site underscores the importance of education and remembrance to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.

Why This Tour Matters 

This tour is an essential educational experience that vividly illustrates the capacity for both great evil and immense courage. It serves as a profound reminder of the need for tolerance and vigilance in protecting human rights. By visiting Auschwitz I and II Birkenau, you engage in an act of remembrance, honoring the memory of those who suffered and died, and committing to carry forward the lessons learned from their loss.

Join us for this deeply moving and educational tour to Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II Birkenau. Book your place now to bear witness to the testimonies of history and honor the memory of those who suffered and perished.