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The Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum is located in the town of Oświęcim, about 70 km west of Kraków in southern Poland. The site consists of two main parts: Auschwitz I, the original concentration camp established by Nazi Germany in 1940, and Auschwitz II–Birkenau, a much larger extermination camp built nearby in 1941. Today, the area is preserved as a museum and memorial dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust. In 1979, the site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a symbol of the crimes committed during World War II.

Auschwitz-Birkenau is one of the most important historical sites in Europe, representing the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp complex. More than 1.1 million people, primarily Jews, as well as Poles, Roma, and others, were murdered there. The preserved structures—including barracks, watchtowers, barbed wire fences, and railway tracks—provide direct evidence of the camp’s function. The museum also contains exhibitions with personal belongings of victims, documents, and photographs that illustrate the scale and human impact of the atrocities.

Visiting the Memorial

Visitors to the site can explore both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II–Birkenau. Auschwitz I houses the main museum exhibitions, including historical displays inside former prisoner blocks. Birkenau, located about 3 km away, is a vast open area with rows of barracks, ruins of gas chambers, and the iconic railway entrance gate. A free shuttle bus connects the two parts of the complex.

The museum can be reached from Kraków by car, train, or bus in about 1–1.5 hours. Organized tours from Kraków are also widely available and often include transportation and a guided visit. From Oświęcim railway station, the museum is about 2 km away and can be reached by local bus or taxi.

Entry to the memorial grounds is free, but visitors are required to book a time slot in advance, especially during peak seasons. Guided tours are strongly recommended and typically cost around €15–€25, depending on the language and duration. A standard visit usually takes 3 to 4 hours, as the site is extensive and includes both camps.