General information about the Museum in ETR text
What is the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum?
The museum was established on the site of a former German concentration and extermination camp.
Auschwitz is the name of the town of Oswiecim in German.
Birkenau is the name of the village of Brzezinka in German.
During the Second World War, Germany was ruled by Adolf Hitler.
Adolf Hitler ordered the establishment of concentration and extermination camps.
A concentration camp is a special prison.
The prisoners there were treated very badly.
They had to work hard but did not get paid for their labour.
The prisoners had no warm clothes and got very little food.
A lot of prisoners were ill, but there was a shortage of medicines in the concentration camp.
In the concentration camp a great number of prisoners died of fatigue, hunger and disease. Many were killed.
In the extermination camp, innocent people were brought in and killed immediately.
An innocent individual is someone who has committed no wrongdoing or harmed anyone.
People did not live and work in the extermination camp.
Auschwitz-Birkenau was both a concentration camp and an extermination camp.
A great many women, men and children from various countries died in this camp.
At the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum we want the memory of the prisoners and people killed in the camp to be remembered.
What can you see at the Museum?
You will visit the site of the former Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp.
At the exhibition you will see:
● what life was like for prisoners in the concentration camp
● where prisoners lived and worked
● what clothes the prisoners wore and what they ate
● how people were transported to the camp
At the exhibtion, you will also see plenty of photographs taken in the camp. You will also see objects that belonged to the victims, such as suitcases, shoes or glasses.
Is that why the Museum is also a Memorial?
A memorial is the site of a profoundly significant and tragic event, necessitating remembrance.
It is an authentic site.
An authentic site is one that retains its historical appearance.
No modifications are permitted here, including the construction of new buildings.
At the Museum, we want to provide everyone the opportunity to see what the camp looked like and understand why so many people died here.
What can one do at the Museum?
At the Museum, in addition to taking a tour, you can:
● participate in workshops and lectures
● participate in lessons for schools
● attend a meeting with former prisoners of the camp
● buy history books
● find information in the Archive
An archive is a place where documents, photographs or maps are collected and stored.
How can you visit the Museum?
You can visit the museum on your own or with a guide.
A guide is someone who will show you around the exhibition and answer your questions.
Where is the Museum situated?
The entrance to the Museum is located in Oświęcim at ul. Więźniów Oświęcimia 55.
This is the site of the former Auschwitz I concentration camp.
This is where you will begin your tour of the Museum.
Here you will meet your guide.
A significant number of people from various parts of the world visit the Museum.
At the Museum, we want everyone to feel safe.
Therefore, each person must undergo a security check.
They must show their luggage and confirm the absence of any dangerous items.
The second part of the Museum is located in Birkenau at ul. Ofiar Faszyzmu 12.
This is the site of the former Auschwitz II-Birkenau extermination camp.
When can you visit the Museum?
The museum is open all year round.
The museum is only closed on 1 January, 25 December and the first day of Easter.
You can visit the museum during the following hours:
● 7:30 - 15:30 in December
● 7:30 - 16:30 in January and November
● 7:30 - 17:30 in February
● 7:30 - 18:30 in March and October
● 7:30 - 19:30 in April, May and September
● 7:30 - 20:30 in June, July and August
How can you get to the Museum?
You can get to the Museum by:
● train
● bus
● car
There is paid parking for cars in the first and second parts of the Museum.
Paid, meaning you have to pay to leave your car there.
In the first part of the Museum, the car park is located next to the Visitors’ Service Centre.
You will enter the car park via ul. Więźniów Oświęcimia.
In the second part of the Museum, you will enter the car park via ul. Męczeństwa Narodów.
A free bus shuttles between the first and second parts.
Free means that you do not have to pay for a ticket.
How can you contact us?
You can call the following telephone number: +48 33 844 80 99
You can send an email to:
If you are interested in learning about the workshops and educational events happening at the Museum:
● you can call the following telephone number: +48 33 844 80 62
● you can send an email to:
Plenty of valuable information can be found on the Museum's website, www.auschwitz.org.
Read them if you want to be fully prepared for your visit to the Museum.
