Of the two sites, I was most affected by Auschwitz-Birkenau. Though few original buildings remain today, footprints and chimneys still stand to give you an idea of the expanse of the place. Buildings stood as far as the eye could see in three directions. There's a heaviness about the place that can't be articulated.
Map and Layout of Auschwitz I
Gallows. The commandant, Rudolf Hoess was hanged at the camp. His former residence still stands not far from Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Medical experiments were carried out in this room.
Entrance to the gas chamber
Zyklon B pellets were dropped through this opening in the ceiling.
Ovens in the crematorium
Tracks coming into Auschwitz-Birkenau
Wooden Hut…note the toilets that run down the middle.
Looking back at the gated entrance to the camp. Fenced in camps stand to either side of the tracks.
The tracks ended, and the gas chambers are no more than 50 feet away. People walked off the train and maybe down the platform a ways, down a few stairs, and were stripped, killed and burned. When the train stopped, one was literally moments from death.
As the Allies (Russians) approached, the gas chambers were destroyed to prevent them from seizing any evidence of genocide.
Steps leading into the gas chamber
Some buildings still show original artwork done by the prisoners.
The brick houses
No comments:
Post a Comment