Auschwitz II Historical Gate — Attraction in gmina Oświęcim

Review of Berkenhau Camp: A Somber Reminder

Visiting Berkenhau Camp is an experience that deeply moves and profoundly affects anyone who steps foot on its grounds. The somber atmosphere is palpable, and the weight of history bears down on you with each step.

The vast expanse of the camp, with its rows of barracks and the remains of gas chambers and crematoria, stands as a stark reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. Walking through the camp, it's impossible not to feel a profound sense of loss and sorrow for the millions of innocent lives taken.

The museum and memorials provide a harrowing yet essential education on the events that transpired here. The personal stories, photographs, and artifacts humanize the victims and bring their experiences to the forefront. It's a poignant reminder of the capacity for cruelty within humanity, but also a testament to the resilience and strength of those who suffered.

One of the most moving parts of the visit is seeing the names and faces of the victims. The display of personal items, such as shoes, glasses, and suitcases, serves as a powerful reminder that each number in the death toll was a person with a life, a family, and a future that was tragically cut short.

We must not forget the horrors that occurred at Berkenhau. The camp stands as a crucial historical site, ensuring that future generations understand the depths of human cruelty and the importance of standing against hatred and bigotry in all its forms. It's a place of reflection and a call to action to ensure such atrocities never happen again.

In conclusion, a visit to Berkenhau is more than just a historical tour; it is a deeply moving and educational experience that underscores the importance of memory and vigilance. We owe it to the victims to remember their suffering and to commit to a world where such inhumanity is...

It is easy to get to the camp by bus from the main bus station ( located near Krakow Gallery). Buses leave almost every 20-30 minutes, the one-way ticket cost us 15 zlotych each. We've booked an excursion in advance, via the website, so we had entry e-tickets on hand. Box office queue was really a long one.

Please pay attention to your bag size and what you have there. Guards asked us to check our baggage in, which cost us additional 4 zlotych. However, we saw many of visitors with the same rucksacks walking inside the museum 🤷

Inside the museum, where you should gather with your group, there was a real mess, too crowded place, you can get lost easily, no sings where to go or what to do. Luckily, there is a staff you can ask any question you have.

The excursion is divided into 2 parts - Auschwitz - the premises of the main museum and Birkenau - another larger camp, you are supposed to get here by bus which is included in the excursion fee.

The Auschwitz camp is adreadful place, I couldn't choke my tears listening to the guide story about the camp and people who were tortured here. Lots of things come to mind to think of after you visit this place. Still, we need to know and remember that such a place existed and honor the memory...

We went to Auschwitz and Birkenau on our first day in Poland and had both wanted to do this tour for so long previous. It was all and more of what we expected! Our tour guide "Lucas" was absolutely brilliant and engaged with as many members of the group as he could. His English was great and his depth of knowledge was outstanding which made the tour that much better for us. I have rated this day a 5* as that is as much as I can give!

It was very cold when we went but had listened to previous reviews and dressed accordingly. This made for a more enjoyable experience as we could give all our concentration to the briefs and not the fact that we couldn't feel our fingers and toes! ❄

A word of warning.. It is a very long day of walking roughly 7-8 hours. So that being said, dress for the weather but also for a day on your feet. All I can say is the more comfortable you can be the better.

One last thing as means as a heads up, they don't allow for any bags bigger than an A4 piece of paper to be taken into Auschwitz. 100% worth the trip.

Cost: we paid 360 PLN (£75) for the tour, this included the travel to and from as well as the...