The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum
In order to honor the victims of the camp and the genocide and to preserve this saddening yet important phase of world history, the Polish government chose to repair Auschwitz I and use the site to build a museum. The camp at Auschwitz II contained several buildings of prefabricated wood which were preserved but not repaired. The museum at Auschwitz contains several fractions from various periods in a singular center. The museum has a collection of shoes belonging to the men, women and children who were imprisoned in the camps, along with suitcases and several household items. One disquieting exhibit at the museum is a collection of human hair that the Nazi forces collected from the people at Auschwitz before they were assigned to work on labor tasks and also before and after they were executed. The museum also contains the gas chamber from Auschwitz I that had been transformed into an air raid shelter for the SS forces but now has been restored to its original form.
Auschwitz in Present Day
Auschwitz in the present day is one of the most talked about and most visited places in the world. The remnants of the gas chambers and Auschwitz II are open to visitors. The historical significance of the camp has earned it a place on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The victims’ ashes are spread out between the huts and the entire compound is considered to be a gravesite. Towards the far-off side of Birkenau, one can find several memorial plaques erected in honor and memory of the victims at Auschwitz. Several of the buildings in Auschwitz I are still intact and can be explored in their original conditions. The tragedies of Auschwitz have found mention and importance in many pop-culture pieces of the present day, with the actual site being used for filming of two films, ‘Landscape After the Battle’ and ‘Pasazerka’, and also a miniseries War and Remembrance. World famous director Steven Spielberg was not awarded permission to use the camp grounds for filming scenes for his movie Schindler’s List. The director hence had to recreate a “mirror” camp.
Visiting Auschwitz
For those interested in a cheap holiday to Poland, visiting Auschwitz is top on the list, as the entrace to the museum is free. Learn about the instrumental role the place played in the history of the world can opt for a City and Snow tour package on a trip to Poland offered by the Baltic Travel Company or Krakow City Break.
Exploring the History and Culture of Central Europe With Holidays to Poland
The Auschwitz Birkenau Memorial is, of course, one of the most-visited sights and a sombre, moving experience for history buffs or those commemorating the impacts of World War II on their loved ones. However, Poland also offers a rich wealth of other museums and historic sites.
We highly recommend the Rynek Underground Museum in Krakow, deep beneath the main square. Descend the Cloth Hall steps from St Mary's Basilica and immerse yourself in interactive exhibits built within the original mediaeval merchant stalls.
Wawel Castle is another of Poland’s must-see destinations, also in Krakow. Here you will find the astonishing Wawel Royal Castle National Art Collection, with music festivals hosted on the grounds during the summer months.
A short trip from Krakow will take you to Wieliczka, home of the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine, an extraordinary place to visit and meander through the chapels and chambers this UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for.
Planning Holidays in Poland for Nature Lovers
Poland holidays are among the top destinations for nature enthusiasts, with an enormous breadth of preserved and protected forests and coastlines around the Baltic Sea, where beach lovers can relax and explorers can venture through the Carpathian Mountains.
Morskie Oko Lake, in the Tatra Mountains, is the fourth-largest lake in Southern Poland and freezes over in the winter, offering awe-inspiring natural vistas and world-class hiking. Visitors can stay in the small, popular hotels in the nearby town of Zakopane and enjoy the peace, quiet and fresh air of the mountain range.
Another excellent destination to include in your Poland holiday planning is the Bialowieza Forest, on the border between Poland and Belarus. The cool, dark primaeval forest is home to a herd of 800 European bison and has various attractions throughout, including canoeing, refreshment stops, cycle paths and even an art gallery.
Discover the Joy of Polish Cuisine and Entertainment in Poland’s Capital City
Head east to Warsaw, and you'll find a unique blend of lively nights, live music, vibrant entertainment and culture, with incredible architecture and many of the most popular hotels offering a broad choice of luxury accommodations.