Majdanek State Museum
Lubelskie
Majdanek State Museum is located on the grounds of the former Nazi German concentration and extermination camp KL Lublin, operational from 1941 to 1944. Established in 1944, it serves as a memorial site and museum dedicated to preserving the memory of the victims of the Holocaust and Nazi terror. The museum covers approximately 90 hectares, including preserved camp facilities such as the prisoner area, bathhouses with gas chambers, and crematoria. It also features the monumental Fight and Martyrdom Memorial by Wiktor Tołkin, a prominent landmark in Lublin. The museum maintains extensive archives and collections of artifacts, hosting permanent and temporary exhibitions that document the camp's history and the broader context of Nazi crimes in the region. Educational and scientific activities are central to its mission, with a focus on research, exhibitions, and guiding visitors through the tragic history of the site. The museum also administers memory sites of other extermination camps, including Bełżec and Sobibor. It is directly supervised by Poland's Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. Majdanek State Museum stands as a significant place of remembrance, historical research, and education on the Holocaust and World War II atrocities.
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Tip: Visitors are advised to allocate sufficient time to explore the extensive grounds and exhibitions. The best time to visit is during spring and autumn for comfortable weather. It is recommended to check the official website for opening hours and to book guided tours or tickets in advance, especially during peak seasons. Educational programs and guided visits enhance the experience. Discounts may be available for students, seniors, and groups. Visitors should prepare for outdoor walking and bring appropriate footwear.
Interesting facts
- •Majdanek was the site of Operation Harvest Festival in November 1943, the largest single massacre of Jews by German forces during the Holocaust, with around 40,000 victims.
- •The museum covers about 90 hectares, including original camp buildings such as gas chambers and crematoria.
- •The Fight and Martyrdom Memorial by Wiktor Tołkin is a prominent monument symbolizing the suffering and resistance of prisoners.
- •The museum archives hold over 180 meters of archival files, including many from the World War II period.
- •Pope John Paul II visited the museum in 1987 during his third pilgrimage to Poland, praying at the mausoleum of the victims.
History
The Majdanek camp was established by Nazi Germany in 1941 as a concentration and extermination camp.
After World War II, in 1944, the Majdanek State Museum was founded on the site to preserve the memory of the victims and the history of the camp.
Initially, the museum focused on conservation and reconstruction of camp structures and collecting documents.
In 1945, the first permanent exhibition was opened.
Over the decades, the museum expanded its scientific research and educational activities, including organizing international art exhibitions and collaborating with former prisoners.
The iconic Fight and Martyrdom Memorial was constructed in the 1960s and remains a central feature.
The museum has also taken responsibility for the memorial sites at Bełżec and Sobibor extermination camps.
Despite challenges such as a destructive fire in 2010, the museum continues to develop its exhibitions and outreach programs.
Place Guide
Prisoner Area (III Field)1941-1944
A preserved section of the camp where prisoners were held, offering insight into the living conditions and daily life under Nazi imprisonment.
Bathhouses with Gas ChambersEarly 1940s
Buildings that housed the camp's bath facilities and gas chambers used during the extermination process, preserved to educate visitors about the atrocities committed.
Old and New Crematoria1940s
Two crematorium buildings used by the Nazis to dispose of bodies, preserved as part of the museum's exhibition on the camp's function and scale of murder.
Fight and Martyrdom Memorial1960s
A monumental memorial complex designed by sculptor Wiktor Tołkin, symbolizing the suffering and resistance of the prisoners at Majdanek. It is a key landmark and place of remembrance.
Contact
Phone: 81 710 28 33
