Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum
Małopolskie
The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, located in Oświęcim, Poland, stands on the grounds of the former Nazi German concentration and extermination camps Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. Established in 1947 by former prisoners and the Polish Ministry of Culture, the museum serves as a solemn memorial and research center dedicated to the memory of approximately 1.1 million people, including 960,000 Jews, who perished there during World War II. The site covers over 190 hectares and includes authentic barracks, ruins, rail ramps, fences, and a vast collection of personal objects such as suitcases, shoes, and prisoner uniforms. The museum also hosts permanent exhibitions, including national pavilions from countries whose citizens were victims, and regularly updates its displays to reflect historical research. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, it attracts millions of visitors annually who come to bear witness, learn about the Holocaust, and reflect on human suffering and resilience. The museum maintains international cooperation with institutions like Yad Vashem and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and is a leading center for Holocaust education, conservation, and remembrance.
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Astuce: Visitors should book tickets exclusively online in advance via the official website to secure entry, as daily visitor numbers are high. Guided tours with educators are recommended for deeper understanding. The best time to visit is during weekdays and outside peak holiday seasons to avoid crowds. The museum offers educational programs and commemorative events, especially around January 27th, the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Discounts are available for students, seniors, and groups, but specific prices should be checked on the official website.
Faits intéressants
- •Over 1.1 million people died at Auschwitz, including approximately 960,000 Jews.
- •The museum covers around 190 hectares, including Auschwitz I and Birkenau camps.
- •It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
- •More than 25 million people have visited the museum since its opening.
- •The museum hosts national exhibitions from many countries whose citizens were victims.
- •The International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27th commemorates the camp's liberation.
Histoire
The museum was founded in 1947 by survivors and the Polish government to preserve the Auschwitz camp as a permanent memorial and educational site.
Initially, exhibitions reflected the political climate of post-war Poland, with revisions over the decades to include diverse victim groups and national perspectives.
In 1962 and 1977, preservation zones were established to protect the camp's historical integrity.
The site became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
Over time, national exhibitions were introduced to honor victims from various countries.
The museum’s visitor numbers have steadily increased, reaching over two million annually in recent years, making it one of the most visited Holocaust memorials worldwide.
Guide du lieu
Auschwitz I Main Camp1940-1945
The original concentration camp featuring preserved prisoner barracks, administrative buildings, and the infamous gate with the slogan 'Arbeit Macht Frei.' It includes exhibitions on camp history, prisoner experiences, and Nazi atrocities.
Birkenau (Auschwitz II) Extermination Camp1941-1945
The largest part of the complex, Birkenau was the primary site of mass extermination. Visitors can see the remains of gas chambers, crematoria ruins, railway ramps where prisoners arrived, and vast open grounds.
Permanent Exhibitions
The museum hosts permanent exhibitions in Auschwitz I, including national pavilions representing countries of victims. These exhibitions display artifacts, documents, and testimonies to educate about the diverse groups affected.
International Holocaust Education Center2005
Established within the museum to promote research, education, and remembrance related to Auschwitz and the Holocaust globally. It organizes seminars, publications, and commemorative events.
Contact
Téléphone: 33 844 81 00