Understand

Auschwitz, a former concentration and extermination camp, holds a significant place in the history of the Holocaust. It symbolizes the unimaginable terror, genocide, and devastation that occurred during this dark period of human history. Originally an army barracks, the camp was taken over by the Nazis during World War II. Renamed Auschwitz, the camp became the largest operated by the Nazi regime. The camp's story began in 1940, when Polish political prisoners were the majority of its population. However, as the number of prisoners increased, Auschwitz expanded to include Auschwitz II-Birkenau. This new section of the camp was meant to house Soviet prisoners of war but ultimately became a place where Jews and Roma prisoners were sent in massive numbers. Auschwitz III-Monowitz, a slave labor camp, was added later to provide forced labor for the nearby I.G. Farben industrial complex. From 1942 onwards, Auschwitz became a site of mass murder on an unprecedented scale. More than a million Jewish men, women, and children from all over occupied Europe were deported to Auschwitz, only to be immediately sent to their deaths in the gas chambers of Birkenau. Those who were not killed in the gas chambers faced a grim existence of disease, starvation, forced labor, and horrific medical experiments. The end of the war saw the SS attempting to destroy all evidence of their crimes by dismantling the gas chambers, crematoria, and other buildings of Auschwitz. They also forced prisoners on death marches to other parts of the Third Reich. It was not until January 27, 1945, that the remaining prisoners were liberated by the Red Army. By then, an estimated 1.3 million Jews, Poles, Soviet POWs, Roma, homosexuals, and Jehovah's Witnesses had been murdered within the camp's walls. In 1947, the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum was established on the grounds of the camp, which are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, the memorial attracts approximately one million visitors each year, serving as a powerful reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust.

Map & Climate

Map & Climate

Popular Foods

Pierogi: These are traditional Polish dumplings filled with various ingredients, often including potatoes, cheese, sauerkraut, or meat. They can be boiled, fried, or baked and are typically served with sour cream or butter.

Kielbasa: This smoked sausage is made from pork meat and comes in various types, such as fresh (biały) or smoked (czerwony), depending on the level of smokiness. It's commonly eaten grilled, pan-fried, or even boiled and served alongside mashed potatoes, cabbage, or other vegetables.

Szczawiak: A traditional Polish fruit compote made from sour cherries, plums, or other similar fruits, sugar, and spices like cinnamon and cloves. The fruit mixture is cooked until it becomes a thick, jammy consistency, and is then stored in jars for later consumption.

Historical Appearance

Traditional Male Clothing

Traditional Female Clothing