Auschwitz, about 1 hour outside of Krakow, was originally a Polish army camp. It was converted to a concentration camp after German occupation in 1939.
Above, Auschwitz entrance sign – “work sets you free”. Below, gallows used against Polish prisoners for consorting with local populace. First of wave of prisoners were mostly Polish political prisoners and Russian POW.
The Death Wall (for firing squad) in Bock 11
Materials left behind by the victims. Most devastating exhibit was the human hairs – 2 tons worth in one exhibit (not photographed). They were removed from the corpses and used for textile. Jewish victims were falsely promised relocation, and some of the warehouses in Auschwitz were named “Kanada” I, II and etc. by Nazi, as Canada was considered as the ideal immigration country.
Gas chamber and crematory
Auschwitz II – Birkenau
Located 3 km away from the original Auschwitz, this site was handpicked by Himmler, Head of SS, due to its proximity to major rail lines to start the Final Solution – extermination of Jews. The site is > 20 times bigger than the original Auschwitz.
Jews from all over Europe were transported to Auschwitz – up to 100 of them crammed into a cart like this. Each bunk bed below housed up to 10 people.
Memorial commemorates the 1.5 million people murdered at Auschwitz complex.
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