History Of Auschwitz

Auschwitz, also known as Auschwitz-Birkenau, was a complex of concentration & extermination camps operated by Nazi Germany during World War II. It was located in Oswiecim, Poland and consisted of three main camps: Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II (Birkenau), and Auschwitz III (Monowitz). The camps were established in 1940 and were used primarily to imprison and murder Jews, but also political dissidents, disabled individuals, and others deemed undesirable by the Nazi regime. An estimated 1.1 million people were killed at Auschwitz, the majority of whom were Jewish.


The killing methods used at Auschwitz included gassing with poisonous Zyklon B gas in the Auschwitz gas chambers, as well as mass shootings, starvation, and forced labor. The camps were liberated by the Allies in January 1945, and the site was turned into a museum and memorial in 1947. Auschwitz has come to represent the horrors of the Holocaust and is one of the most significant sites of remembrance in the world today. Its legacy serves as a reminder of the atrocities committed during World War II and the importance of fighting against discrimination, hate, and genocide.


Auschwitz, also known as Auschwitz-Birkenau, was a complex of concentration & extermination camps operated by Nazi Germany during World War II. It was located in Oswiecim, Poland and consisted of three main camps: Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II (Birkenau), and Auschwitz III (Monowitz). The camps were established in 1940 and were used primarily to imprison and murder Jews, but also political dissidents, disabled individuals, and others deemed undesirable by the Nazi regime. An estimated 1.1 million people were killed at Auschwitz, the majority of whom were Jewish.

Origins Of Auschwitz
Origins Of Auschwitz

Auschwitz was established by Nazi Germany in 1940, in the town of Oswiecim, Poland. The town was chosen due to its location and existing infrastructure, including a railroad and large army barracks. Originally, the camp was intended to house political prisoners, but as the war progressed, it became a center for the extermination of Jews in Auschwitz and other targeted groups. Auschwitz was part of the Nazi regime's plan to create a "Final Solution" to the so-called "Jewish Question," which involved the systematic murder of Jews and other minorities in Europe.

Auschwitz As A Death Camp
Auschwitz As A Death Camp

Auschwitz, also known as Auschwitz-Birkenau, was one of the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camps during World War II. It was established in 1940 in the town of Oswiecim, Poland, and became a death camp in 1941 after the decision was made to implement the "Final Solution" to the "Jewish Question." The camp had gas chambers that were used to murder Jews and other targeted groups, with up to 6,000 people killed in a single day. The camp also had a "selection" process in which new arrivals were sent to either the gas chambers or forced labor.


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Life At Auschwitz
Life At Auschwitz

Life at Auschwitz was characterized by brutality, dehumanization, and constant fear. Auschwitz Prisoners were subjected to forced labor, starvation, and brutal treatment by the SS guards. They were also subjected to medical experiments, including sterilization and the testing of new drugs. Disease was rampant in the overcrowded conditions, and prisoners faced the constant threat of execution. The living conditions were abysmal, with inadequate shelter, clothing, and hygiene facilities. The prisoners were stripped of their identity, dignity, and humanity, and their lives were reduced to a constant struggle for survival.

Liberation And Aftermath
Liberation And Aftermath

Auschwitz was liberated by Soviet troops in January 1945, and survivors were left to cope with the trauma of their experiences. Many were too weak or ill to leave immediately and required medical treatment. The camp was turned into a museum and memorial in 1947, and efforts were made to identify and bring Nazi war criminals to justice in the years that followed. The Liberation of Auschwitz was a turning point in the history of the Holocaust, and it marked the end of one of the darkest chapters in human history.

Controversies Surrounding Auschwitz
Controversies Surrounding Auschwitz

Controversies surrounding Auschwitz have centered on issues such as preservation, access, and tourism. There have also been debates about the appropriate ways to commemorate and remember the victims of the camp, including questions about the use of artifacts and the representation of the Holocaust in popular culture. Additionally, some individuals and groups have sought to deny or minimize the extent of the atrocities committed at Auschwitz and other Nazi concentration camps. The controversies surrounding Auschwitz highlight the ongoing struggle to come to terms with the legacy of the Holocaust and to ensure that its lessons are never forgotten.


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Auschwitz Tour Deals

Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory Private Tour Tickets
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Oskar Schindlers Enamel Factory Private Tour Tickets
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Highlights
  • Explore 2 sections of the factory- the Museum of Contemporary Art in Kraków and the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków

  • Take an insightful tour with the Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory tickets and know the history of the rescue of 1000 Jews

  • Get to know interesting facts and listen to some heartwrenching stories of survivors of World War II from the guide

  • Head out to one of the popular permanent exhibition ‘Kraków Under Nazi Occupation 1939-1945’ inside the factory

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Must Know Before You Go
  • ID proof is mandatory for each individual guest at the time of arrival.
  • All foreign nationals must share their passport and visa details at the time of arrival.
  • Adults and Children will be charged at the same rates.
  • Participants are not allowed to carry any sharp object, lighter, luggage bag, alcohol, knife, etc.
  • Any breakage or damage of any items will be charged at actuals.
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FAQs

When did the Auschwitz start being built?

    Construction of Auschwitz began in May 1940, after the decision to establish a concentration camp near the town of Oswiecim, Poland. Initially, the camp was intended to hold political prisoners, but it quickly evolved into a site for forced labor, medical experimentation, and ultimately, mass murder. The first inmates arrived in June 1940, and the camp continued to expand over the next several years, eventually encompassing a complex of several sub-camps and gas chambers.

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