Auschwitz

My visit to the concentration camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau was one of the most influential experiences and one of those that made me think about the cruelty of men. Although it's visited daily by tourists, it's a curious place that continues to give a lot of respect. This concentration camp was used by the Nazis during WWII, and the entrance still reads "Arbeit Macht Frei" (work will set you free) and is still one of the most popular. There are the grounds, patios, houses and corridors, as well as the gas chamber and cremation room. It's a good place to visit because of its historical importance, and is a story that should not be repeated.

The words above the door read "Work Will Set You Free". This is the darkest place I've ever been to, but I was always curious about it. Auschwitz is about two hours from Warsaw, and there are regular, organised trips from the city, not too expensive. This site was, of course, the largest Nazi concentration camp, and there are many, many stories that could be told about it. Most of them are very dark, of course. I particularly recommend "I Survived Hell" and "I was the Assistant to Dr Mengele", the doctor who was the head of the camp and the leader of various human experiments. He was never caught, and reportedly died an alcoholic in South America.

Impressive. Of course, the visit isn't easy and it's hard to hold back the tears and to walk in the footsteps of those who were there, but it's a must-see at least once. I could choose another image, of all that I took, but this is the most traditional and closest to the story. It's a place to visit with solemnity, respect and calm.

"... There are no words to express this injustice, this destruction of man". By nature, the traveller relishes exploring new places but some hold more painful memories than others. Such places as these remind man of the atrocities that others have had to endure, at least so say some Germans that I have known. There are very few people in the world who have not heard of concentration camps, also known as "death residences".

Shows you that the human is that the worst enemy of the humanity, but we can learn of us, a very recommended place to visit.