Location: Oswiecim
Top Things to do in Oswiecim
Things to do in Oswiecim, Southern Poland: The Best Sights & Landmarks
Oświęcim (/ɒʃˈvjɛntʃiːm/; Polish: [ɔɕˈfʲɛɲt͡ɕim] ( listen); German: Auschwitz; Yiddish: אָשפּיצין Oshpitzin) is a town in the Lesser Poland (Polish: Małopolska) province of southern Poland, situated 50 kilometres (31 mi) west of Cracow, near the confluence of the Vistula (Wisła) and Soła rivers. The town is commonly known as being the location of the Auschwitz concentration camp (less commonly known as KL or KZ Auschwitz Birkenau) during World War II when Poland was under the control of Nazi Germany.
Restaurants in Oswiecim
1. Panstwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14,352 reviews
Established by the Nazis in 1940, Auschwitz-Birkenau has become a symbol of terror, genocide and the Holocaust. Although the exact number of victims is unknown, many Jews, Poles and gypsies died here. The museum consists of two parts: Auschwitz I, the first and oldest camp (the number of prisoners fluctuated around 15,000, sometimes rising above 20,000) and Auschwitz II, Birkenau (which held more than 90,000 prisoners in 1944). The greater part of the apparatus of mass extermination was built in Birkenau and the majority of the victims were murdered there.
Reviewed By katiecharlotte18 - Armitage, United Kingdom
I don’t want to call this a review like it’s rating some sort of amusement park but want to share some thoughts and info for those thinking of visiting. One the things our guide repeated various times was this is first and foremost a cemetery for those lost in the holocaust and should be treated as such and he was so so right. I have seen it mentioned many times but personally we never felt rushed on our guided tour, although there were many different languages tours occurring at the same time so it sometimes overlapped but it’s a place of many many visitors and they do need to keep the pace. However there is always time to wander round afterwards and reflect on your own time. After the initial Auschwitz tour which is mainly exhibitions in the original blocks were all the belongings of the prisoners are piled up, this part does feel more like just that..an exhibition, it almost doesn’t feel real and yet the hairs on your neck stand on end at the sight and you feel a continuing sense of sadness and depression all throughout. The guide then invited us to have a break and meet up together again at Birkenau if we wanted to or we could take some time and wander at our own leisure if we wanted. Birkenau itself is a completely different experience and it’s here you really feel the weight of the experience even though most of it lies in ruins. Our tour guide (we think his name was Andres or something similar) was so knowledgable and genuine, you can tell he really feels passionate and humbled to show people through this harrowing experience and really make sure you feel the full impact of what can only be described as be most haunting and evil place on earth. Some people complained at the volume of the tour and we had several stops of people getting new headphones as they kept saying they couldn’t hear properly, poor guide had to hold his microphone the whole way round which he did without complaint. However he very rightly said it’s important for him to remain respectful and not shout in the exhibitions. We felt very grateful for our guide and felt it was the right choice for us. A definite must experience in life.
2. Main Market Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 208 reviews
Reviewed By 595jaynel - Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom
Beautiful market square the market was in full swing beautiful Amber jewellery leather bags and coats and endless cafes bars and restaurants we opted for the authentic polish street food absolutely delicious and great value for money it's centenary year there was a massive stage with traditional music and dancing highly recommended
