Auschwitz – The Heart Skips a Beat

One of the main reasons for coming to Krakow was to visit Auschwitz. I knew it would be a somber, depressing excursion but one that I had always wanted to see. I am constantly fascinated by the evil some perpetrate on others throughout history, which certainly includes our history with slavery. But nothing, no movie or documentary, can have the impact of walking in the footsteps of this history.

All visits are by guided tour. The tour is broken into two parts. First is the visit to the first camp, Auschwitz I. That’s followed by a tour of the biggest camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, usually the one seen in movie recreations. I’ll let the pictures tell the story.

Entrance – Auschwitz I

Auschwitz I barracks

Auschwitz I barrack

Gas canisters

Victims’ luggage

Piles and piles of shoes

Orthodox Jews chanting at the Shooting Wall

Barbed Wire fencing

Where Rudolph Hess was hanged.

Gas chamber and crematorium at Auschwitz I

Gas chamber at Auschwitz I

Entrance to Auschwitz-Birkenau

Auschwitz-Birkenau

“Toilets” at Auschwitz-Birkenau

Train car – Auschwitz-Birkenau

Memorial Auschwitz-Birkenau

Barracks – Auschwitz-Birkenau

Large group of Israelis visiting