What can be said about this place? We all know its significance of this place so I might just leave it to the pictures. Just before I do, I should point out for those who have not yet visited that Auschwitz is actually the umbrella name of a group of camps. Auscwitz Camp No.1 is the compound that you are probably most familiar with which basically comprises about 20-30 blocks such as these.
Each of the blocks housed up to 1 thousand 'prisoners' obviously in horrendous conditions (i.e. 5 persons to bunk and no heating in winter).
It was from Camp No.1 that the SS took the prisoners (or those who were still standing) for work outside the gates each day. The other camp which is only minutes away by car is Aucshwtiz -Birkenau. This was a much larger camp and was originally commissioned as an overflow camp for Auschwitz No1. It is Birkenau that is recognisable for its arched rail entrance below.
The memorial below is dedicated to all the victims of Auschwitz and stands alongside the two main cremetoria (destroyed by the SS shortly before the camps were liberated by the Russians), and which stand within the grounds of Birkenau.
What remains of one of the two crematoria at Birkenau
As you will see from the photos, it was a rather gloomy day (one of the first for the trip) which I guess was only fitting for this place.
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