Auschwitz - Birkenau
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Are you interested in historical facts and World War II? Do you want to see the largest former concentration and death camp on Polish soil?
Let us take you for a regular tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau Camp from Krakow.
The concentration camp in Oswiecim (Auschwitz) is one of the largest European cemeteries and one of the most visited tragic souvenirs after World War II.
As the only German concentration camp, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List (1979) under the name Auschwitz-Birkenau. German Nazi concentration and extermination camp (1940–1945). Over 2 million tourists visit this place every year.
In 1944, at its peak, the camp consisted of three parts:
Auschwitz I, created in 1940 on the premises and buildings of pre-war Polish barracks
Auschwitz II-Birkenau, the largest of the entire complex, created in 1941 in the village of Brzezinka, 3 km away from Oświęcim, from which the Polish population was displaced and the houses taken from them were demolished. In Birkenau, the Nazis also built most of the mass extermination facilities.
Auschwitz III (Monowitz). In 1942-1944, mainly at various German industrial plants as well as agricultural and breeding farms, more than 40 sub-camps were created, using prisoners' slave labor. The largest of them, called Buna, was created in 1942, 6 km from the Auschwitz I camp, at the Buna-Werke synthetic rubber and gasoline plant. They were built during the war by the German concern IG Farbenindustrie, to which the SS provided prisoners for work.
In 1940, in these areas, the German authorities set up a camp initially intended to settle political prisoners and opposition, mainly Poles. Then it was gradually expanded to the main place of mass extermination of about 1.1 million Jews from all over Europe, as well as 140-150 thousand Poles, about 23 thousand Roma, about 12 thousand Soviet prisoners of war and victims of other nationalities.
On January 27, 1945, soldiers of the 60th Army of the First Ukrainian Front opened the gates of Auschwitz. The prisoners welcomed Soviet soldiers as authentic liberators. The paradox of history meant that soldiers who were formally representatives of Stalinist totalitarianism brought freedom to prisoners of Nazi totalitarianism.
The Soviet army did not receive further information about Auschwitz until the liberation of Kraków and, therefore, were unable to reach the gates of KL Auschwitz before January 27, 1945.
Around 7,000 prisioners were liberated in the main camp, Birkenau and Monowitz.
We offer this tour every day from following meeting points in Krakow:
- 8:55 am from Aparthotel Miodowa, 51 Miodowa Street (Kazimierz Jewish District)
- 9:05 am from Hotel Wyspianski, 15 Westerplatte Street (from the side of Kopernika Street) (Old Town)
- 9:15 am from Radisson Blu Hotel, 17 Straszewskiego Street (Old Town)
Tour schedule:
- Pick up from one of the meeting points in Krakow
- Around 1,5 h of journey in air-conditioned vehicle from Krakow to Auschwitz Concentration Camp Museum
- Two options to choose for sightseeing inside the Auschwitz-Birkenau Camps – please see below
- Up to 1 hour of free time for lunch or rest by the entrance to the Museum (before or after sightseeing)
- Return to Krakow in the same vehicle
- Drop off in Krakow
Total duration time: up to 8 hours
There are two options to choose for the sightseeing:
Option 1
Standard tour of Auschwitz – Birkenau complex with a live guide. In the first part – Auschwitz I – you will have a chance to see exhibitions in camp blocks and famous „Arbeit Macht Frei” sign above the entrance gate. In the second camp – Auschwotz II – Birkenau, which is located 3,5 km from the main camp – you will see unloading ramp, brick and wooden barracks and ruins of crematoria and gas chambers as well. Whole sightseeing in both parts lasts up to 3,5 hours.
Available languages of a live guide: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Polish
Price: 170 PLN per person
What is included:
- pick up and drop off in Krakow
- transportation by high quality air-conditioned vehicle (mini van or minibus)
- English speaking driver’s or tourleader’s assistance
- skip the line entrance
- entrance tickets to Auschwitz I (Main Camp) and Auschwitz II (Birkenau) Camps
- guided sightseeing tour inside the camps with a live guide in chosen language for up to 3,5 hours
- up to 1 hour of free time for lunch or rest by the entrance to the Museum (before or after sightseeing)
Option 2
Self-guided tour in Auschwitz II – Birkenau (the second part), which is primarily a place of mass extermination, the largest German extermination camp. This is the place where the overwhelming number of KL Auschwitz victims died - over a million people.
This option would be indicated for those tourist who would like to see this place on their own, with no rush.
You will receive an official guide book in chosen language that will help you with sightseeing on your own.
Available languages of guidebooks: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian
Price: 100 PLN per person
BOOKING
Customers reviews:
"The tour to Auschwitz was very well-organized. Our driver Jakob was very friendly and well-informed. We had to make some last minute changes and they were most accommodating. Highly recommend!"
"The tour was excellent . The guide on the bus and the local guides at Auschwitz were both knowledgeable and friendly. It was very disturbing to see what happened there but I think that it is also very important to see such things up close. Thank you for your superb help. I will definitely return to Krakow - it is a beautiful city and I will definitely recommend your company to anyone travelling to Poland."
"We booked our trip to Poland including Auchwitz trip with Poland Travel and they were absolutely superb. Their service was excellent. Although sad and depressing, the trip to Auschwitz was very interesting thanks to our excellent guide with very good knowledge. Highly recommended."
"Trip to Auschwitz was well arranged and organized. A movie about Aushwitz and Birkenau was played in the bus which prepared us for the day ahead. Our guide Tom was given a full comprehensive information about the camp."
"I can only say one thing - this is a place I believe everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. About the tour: good price, modern air conditioned mini van, very good english speaking guide and driver. Good value and I would recommend tihs company highly."
"If you want to tour Auschwitz, this was the way to do it."
"Hi Pawel I would like to to thank you for all your help during my visit to Krakow last few days. We all had a great time ! I'll recommend your company to my friends who will be going early next year and also when we return in the near future thanks again Regards GARY"
