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Camp bathhouse, one of the oldest buildings at Auschwitz II-Birkenau, now open to visitors

Starting from January 22, visitors participating in guided study tours can access the former bathhouse building in section BIb of the German Nazi Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp. This historic structure has been extensively conserved thanks to the financial support of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation.

“The conservation process took 33 months and followed essential principles: minimizing interventions to the absolute necessary and providing exceptional care in safeguarding all historic parts of the building. Consequently, the bathhouse will remain in good technical condition for many years and can now be safely opened to visitors, which was not possible before,” stated Rafał Pióro, Deputy Director of the Museum in charge of preservation.

The conservation efforts covered the building’s façades and chimneys, the wooden roof framework, and the floors. Portions of the external walls and chimney were also realigned. Importantly, the original ceilings made of suprema boards were reinstated; they had been removed in 2006 because of the deteriorated ceiling beams. As a result, the historic interiors have regained an important element of their original appearance,” said Alicja Duda, who directed the project of the conservation of the building.

Archaeological research accompanied the project. As a result, numerous structures and elements were identified and documented as remains of camp infrastructure, along with stratigraphic layers and objects that testify to the functioning of the camp.

The bathhouse building, now accessible to visitors, stands in the oldest section of Auschwitz II-Birkenau, where male prisoners were first detained in March 1942. Construction was finished two months later. It included facilities such as showers, a bathhouse, and latrines for inmates. A notable feature is the set of disinfection chambers, where clothing was disinfected with steam and Zyklon B gas. Visitors can see remnants of water and electrical systems, metal hooks, pipes, and fittings inside. The walls of the Zyklon B disinfection chamber still show blue discolorations, evidence of hydrogen cyanide use.

A comprehensive conservation of the building was carried out as part of the Master Plan for Preservation, developed by the Museum in 2009. The goal is to safeguard all remnants of the former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz. Implementation of the plan relies on funding from the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation.

“The bathhouse is the seventh brick building in sector BI of the former Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp to undergo comprehensive conservation financed by the Foundation. To date, four prisoner barracks, a latrine, and a kitchen have been opened to visitors. With the completion of this project, we are now able to present another aspect of camp reality,” emphasized Agnieszka Tanistra-Różanowska, head of the Master Plan for Preservation.