Auschwitz I & Auschwitz II Birkenau

Tour description

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 and administrative center of the complex. You'll walk through the infamous gate bearing the cynical slogan "Arbeit Macht Frei" (Work Sets You Free), and explore preserved buildings and exhibitions detailing the camp's operation and the daily lives of its prisoners.

• Exhibition Halls: Former prisoners' blocks now house exhibitions dedicated to different aspects of the Holocaust and specific prisoner groups. Personal belongings, photographs, documents, and artworks created by prisoners offer a poignant glimpse into their experiences.
• The Death Wall: Visit the courtyard between Blocks 10 and 11, 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, and one of the most harrowing sites in the entire complex.

Auschwitz II Birkenau — The Death Camp

A short bus ride takes you to Auschwitz II Birkenau, approximately 3 km from Auschwitz I. Constructed to expedite the Nazi "Final Solution," Birkenau was primarily a death camp — with 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 across Nazi-occupied Europe. This entrance symbolizes the final journey of up to one million people.
• Selection Ramp / Platform: Visit the site where SS officers conducted the selection process — determining who would be sent to forced labor and who would be sent directly to the gas chambers upon arrival by train.
• Prisoner Barracks: Walk through the remnants of the wooden and brick barracks where prisoners lived in inhumane conditions. The sheer scale of the camp offers a stark visual understanding of the suffering that occurred here.
• Ruins of the Gas Chambers and Crematoria: The ruins — blown up by the Nazis in a final attempt to hide their crimes — stand as a somber testament to the industrial nature of the genocide practiced at Birkenau.

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. Book your place now to bear witness to the testimonies of history and honor the memory of those who suffered and perished.

Tour itinerary

1. Introduction at the Visitor Center: Begin with an overview of the camp's history and its role during the Holocaust.
2. Tour of Key Exhibits: Visit exhibitions in several preserved prison blocks, the gas chamber, and the Death Wall.
3. Guided Travel to Birkenau: Short bus ride between the camps — your guide will prepare you for the scale and emotional impact of Auschwitz II.
4. Walk through the Gate of Death: Enter the main gate of Birkenau, where trains delivered prisoners from across occupied Europe.
5. Visit the Barracks: Explore one of the surviving barracks where prisoners once lived under harrowing conditions.
6. Ruins of the Gas Chambers and Crematoria: Examine the extensive ruins, remnants that speak volumes about the industrial scale of the genocide committed here.
7. Reflective Conclusion: The tour concludes at the main gate of Birkenau — a moment of quiet reflection on the enduring importance of remembrance.