Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum Tickets

Auschwitz is actually a collection of several sites, a mixture of concentration and death camps. Concentration camps were used for imprisonment, forced labour and execution of groups of people deemed racially or otherwise inferior by Nazi Germany. Death camps were specifically for the extermination of such people. The largest group of victims were Jews, although Slavs, Romani, disabled people, homosexuals and others were also taken here. Of the Jewish population, an estimated five to six million were killed in the Holocaust.

For those deemed unfit for forced labour, including the youngest children, the elderly and the disabled, execution was immediate. Placing large numbers of people in gas chambers was one way victims were executed. Those that initially survived were forced to undertake extremely strenuous labour in terrible conditions, with very little food, rest, or sanitation and healthcare. Of the 1.3 million people sent to Auschwitz, only around 200,000 survived.

Official recommendations state that taking children under 14 to Auschwitz is not recommended. This is due to the graphic nature of the descriptions and images that you will see when touring the camps. However, there are no mandatory restrictions on age and so you should use your own discretion. Touring Auschwitz is a particularly solemn experience but also an illuminating first-hand look at history.

General common sense and respect are expected of visitors to Auschwitz. There aren’t any specific rules or restrictions beyond this. You can take photographs in some outdoor spaces but should do so respectfully and without flash. You can use your phone except in certain exhibition areas, which are clearly marked. There aren’t any special dress restrictions apart from anything that would obviously be considered offensive. It makes sense to bring good walking shoes.