Czesc everyone
Next we went back into one of the dark chapters of human history....... we went to Auschwitz.  This camp was built by the Nazi's at the beginning of WWII, originally to house Polish prisoners.  Later it was expanded as a death camp as part of Hitler's Final Solution to rid Europe of the Jews.  Over 1.5 million people were murdered at Auschwitz, including 1.1 million Jews.  The lies used to control the prisoners, and the cruelty they later faced, is just unimaginable.  I actually did not want to go to Auschwitz but my parents insisted that I see it.  I won't forget it.

Lauren



The entrance to Auschwitz ; It says in German, "Work Brings Freedom"

Fence and guard tower

Security fence

Blockhouse 10, one of the many prison houses at Auschwitz I camp

Thousands of shoes taken from those who died here

Birkenau, site of Auschwitz II, the largest of the concentration camps.  The Nazi's destroyed the buildings just before they vacated the area in order to try to hide the evidence of their crimes.

Railway leading into Birkenau (in black and white)

Unloading area with one of the cars used to transport Hungarian Jews