Auschwitz-Birkenau Extermination Camps
Brief history of Auschwitz-Birkenau Death Camps
Auschwitz – Birkenau is a complex of former German’s death camps. Initially, those camps supposed to be temporary and transit camps for Polese mainly patriots kept in overcrowded prisons, those who fought against germans, and also for teachers, intellectuals, politicians, priests, and civilians as well. Camps were situated in the Polish territory in the town called Oswiecim( Auschwitz-Birkenau is a german name). Later on, Auschwitz-Birkenau becomes the place where Holocaust and mass extermination took place. After the conference in Berlin-Wannsee in 1942 where decisions were taken. german authorities recognized that Auschwitz-Birkenau is a suitable place to solve the “Final Solution of the Jewish Question” This is a reason why after 1942 Jews from all over Europe have been regularly transported to the Birkenau for mass extermination. Basically, there were two periods of existence: first period called the Polish period because most of the prisoners were poles which lasted from 14-th June 1940( first transportation of 728 political prisoners) until 1942, and the second period called Jewish because mainly Jews were prisoners of Auschwitz II-Birkenau from 1942 to the end of existence 27-th January 1945(liberation of the Camps). This place must be visited once a lifetime. Memorial and commemoration of over one million Jews,140 thousand Poles,15 thousand Soviet prisoners of war, 23 thousand Romas, and 25 thousand people from all over Europe!
Auschwitz-Birkenau Private and professional Tours From Krakow
The tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau lasts approximately seven hours(depends on the traffic on the road and in the Museum itself). Our well-experienced driver who speaks English fluently will pick you up from your hotel or apartment. The journey lasted around one and half hours. At the place, he will park in the car park, explain how everything works step by step. Usually, you get some time for a break. Good idea to use the toilet before you enter Museum. Then time to get tickets or if you booked and pay in advance we will provide them. The driver shows you where to enter. At the entrance, there is a metal detector the same way as at the airport, so you will be asked to take out any metal object, and when you cross security you will collect back your staff. (belts with metal clamps also work on the metal detectors ) After security check-in, you will get a receiver, headphones, and stickers to place on your clothes. At the very end, you will go to a meeting point outside of the building and wait for the guide. There are some facilities like toilets, bookstores, Atm -machine, exchange point, post, and restaurant as well. The first part of the Museum Auschwitz I last about one hour and a half after you finish the guide gives you a break as well. Then as a group, you will get to Auschwitz II-Birkenau which is situated two kilometers from the first part. You may swap mobile phones with the driver so you will stay in touch with this gentleman who will wait all the time at the car park. After all, he will bring you back to Cracow to your hotel.
Useful Information about tour to National Museum Of Auschwitz-Birkenau
Please be aware this place is a big cemetery so pay respect to victims who died here. Eating, drinking, smoking, recording guides, taking pictures in some particular areas (where human remains are) are not allowed to. Prepare yourself in the case of the weather conditions especially for the second part Birkenau which is mostly outdoors. Take any kind of identification on you like id, driving license, passport. If it is possible book tickets in advance! Remember about museum restrictions: the maximum size of your bags is 30cm X 20 cm = A4 sheet of paper.
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