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DESTINATION: Auschwitz

Steve_Naive said:
The site holds some of the most shocking eerie things I have ever seen and is truly awful reminder of what one human being can do to another.

As for Polish girls, they love the cock.
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i enjoyed the sudden gear change in this post.
 
Was at Belsen mid 80's

The feeling of sorrow and pain was so evident to me then,

Also noticed that although the camp is surrounded by woodland , not a single bird flies over or in the place.
 
Which airports did everyone fly to and from. Looking at pricing up a trip for a couple of days in November, but it doesn't look like there is a direct flight from Manchester
 
Other than Auschwitz is there anything else to see. I'm going on my own so won't be interested in getting pissed up. Like my history so anything like old medievil torture chambers etc i'd want to see.
 
Dr Octopus said:
Other than Auschwitz is there anything else to see. I'm going on my own so won't be interested in getting pissed up. Like my history so anything like old medievil torture chambers etc i'd want to see.
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Nearby Salt Mines are supposed to be great (no seriously they're supposed to be top, sounds shit I know) and the Tatra mountains are near by which are supposed to be very nice.
 
serbianwarcriminal said:
Nearby Salt Mines are supposed to be great (no seriously they're supposed to be top, sounds shit I know) and the Tatra mountains are near by which are supposed to be very nice.
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What flights did you get mate, looks like theres at least 2 stops:mad: Never been anywhere where I had to change at another airport what happends?
 
Dr Octopus said:
What flights did you get mate, looks like theres at least 2 stops:mad: Never been anywhere where I had to change at another airport what happends?
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I used up airmiles when we went (about 4 years ago) so we flew from Manchester to Warsaw and then Warsaw to Krakow (it was a fucking ball ache) with Star Alliance group of airlines.

Think you can fly direct from Vermin airport.
 
serbianwarcriminal said:
Amazing (if thats the right word) place. Very very eerie. Makes you feel very uneasy. Horrible walking through the crematorium in Auschwitz I and the exhibits (all the hair, glasses and childrens shoes) are shocking. Definitely worth visiting.
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This.

It is an eerie, harrowing, haunting place. It has a unique atmosphere, silence, smell.

Some of the things that took place, that the guide tells you about, are horrifyingly unimaginable.

But in that one room, where there are thousands of childrens shoes, thousands upon thousands of pairs of spectacles is the most disturbing experience. It absolutely knocked me sideways. I was choked at the thought of all those children innocently and ignorantly walking to their deaths.

You will never forget it.
 
Anyone who has visited Auschwitz

What is the best way to get there from Krakow centre?

I dont fancy a guided tour where our times to go and come back are fixed, is it bus/train etc?

Any details/tips and costs would be much appreciated
 
Bus from main station takes about an hour and a bit, runs every hour I think and drops you at the gates, only a couple of quid as well
 
I put this on the last thread: Get the bus, can't remember the name of the station but it's easy to find, cost about 1.50 and takes around an hour. When you get there buy the guide book, the guides read from the fucker anyway and you won't be rushed following them. Entrance to the film and bus to Birkenau included...
 
desmond said:
What is the best way to get there from Krakow centre?

I dont fancy a guided tour where our times to go and come back are fixed, is it bus/train etc?

Any details/tips and costs would be much appreciated
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Get the train mate. :eek:
 
Go as early as you can, we were proper rushing at the end because it was nearly closing. It's the sort of place you aren't likely to visit more than once, and the longer you can spend there and take it in, the better imo. Birkenau is fucking massive, would have loved to have walked over to the edges of it away from the crowds on the train track, but just didn't have time.

We got the bus there from the main station (think the destination you need is called oswicem (sp?). It cost 10 zloty each which is about 2.50. Takes over an hour, not fun when hungover. Coming back we decided for the comfort and (fucking reckless tbh) speed of a taxi, was about 150 zloty but I'm shit at haggling!
 
As above, get the mini-bus from the town centre.

Whatever you do, don't go near the fucking salt mines if you're looking for another excursion. Getting out of those things is a nightmare.
 
I would really recommend getting a guide. They didn't rush us even though we were the last to leave the whole, she even took us to areas not open to the public. Seriously there are so many stories that wont be included in the guidebook. One of the most amazing yet saddest days of my life.
 
I got a cab for the day. Didn't work out too expensive between 3 of us. He sat about and waited / took us where and when we wanted. Of course agreed price with him up front.
 
Mr Doom said:
I got a cab for the day. Didn't work out too expensive between 3 of us. He sat about and waited / took us where and when we wanted. Of course agreed price with him up front.
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+1. We done this as well (between 6) and cost fuck all. Got the lad a bit to eat as well.
 
Me, Bronson, Lloyd Christmas and Keenan Cahill are planning on going in the summer. :eek:
 
parko said:
Me, Bronson, Lloyd Christmas and Keenan Cahill are planning on going in the summer. :eek:
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Can you take Davidian with you... just leave him in the chamber, lock the door and turn on the gas.
 
Boomdong said:
Can you take Davidian with you... just leave him in the chamber, lock the door and turn on the gas.
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Not really a funny post that was it Boomdong.

6,000,000+ people died and you thought it'd be funny to take the piss.

People like jew need to take a long hard look at yourselves.
 
Keenan Cahill said:
Not really a funny post that was it Boomdong.

6,000,000+ people died and you thought it'd be funny to take the piss.

People like jew need to take a long hard look at yourselves.
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:eek::D
 
Boomdong said:
Can you take Davidian with you... just leave him in the chamber, lock the door and turn on the gas.
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wouldn't like to be in your position after that,

ah fuck it

auschwitz seats with jew
 
Boomdong said:
Can you take Davidian with you... just leave him in the chamber, lock the door and turn on the gas.
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Keenan Cahill said:
Not really a funny post that was it Boomdong.

6,000,000+ people died and you thought it'd be funny to take the piss.

People like jew need to take a long hard look at yourselves.
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:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
 
Went last week.

Unbelievable.

We actually got this taxi driver who approached us by the big shopping centre before we got to the train station. We were really sceptical about it but it turned out to be absolutely amazing.

His price was 210 zlotys, the exchange rate being 4.5 so worked out amazingly cheap for what we got.

He taxi'd us there, got us into the liberation video free, gave us a fully marked up guide book which he had handmarked which floors of which buildings to go into. Gave us a history lesson on the way there which was very interesting; said we can take as long as we want in Auschwitz 1, to which we decided on 3 hours and went unguided, again a brilliant decision. We still saw everything and went in every building possible, as well as seeing the "death wall" and the gallows etc

He then drove us to Birkenau and said the same, take as long as you want, another 2 hours we decided.

It was more harrowing than the main camp due mainly to size, and the fact it is all in its original state. It was freezing as well which made it seem all the more real.

On this map http://remember.org/camps/birkenau/ he drove us firstly along the road at the front, where you can see B1,B2 and B3 written. Showed us the outbuildings and explained about them, and then drove us all the way round and dropped us off round the back by a couple of farm houses (which are about 200m from the back of the Crem 3 and 4, how people can live there i will never know. He said this is the best way to go because you walk in through the trees as mentioned earlier in the thread. He dropped us about where the 'North' arrow is on that map.

Id say you need 3 hours in each camp minimum.

And we were dropped back at our hostel just off the Old Square back in Krakow

If anyone does go, iv even got his number and would it to anyone to go with him. He genuinely seemed to be far more of a tour guide than a taxi driver.
 
red_army said:
I know there's been a few threads on this before, but can't search for them and there's not a lot on the Krakow thread....

What's the best way to 'see' Auschwitz? Some people have said get to get a taxi there from Krakow as opposed to a tour bus and go independent, some people have said to do the whole 'guided' thing so that you see and learn a lot.

Going in a group of about 4/5 people, if that makes any difference. Anyone able to speak from experience? Its a place I've wanted to see for a while, and probably won't be going back to Poland again for a few years...
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Would certainly recommend making your own way there, rather than on an organised trip.
They rush you through very quickly, whereas, if you go 'under your own steam' you can take your time.
Went a few years ago, unforgettable experience, just be prepared to feel absolutely empty when you leave - but is something everyone should see, just to be reminded about it.
 
Going to krakow for 3 days this October and will definitely be taking in a trip to auschwitz. Looking forward to it in a weird sort of way. Looking forward to seeing how it compares to what I'd imagine after reading about it.

My missus' grandad was telling me about how he was one of the first people to discover the camp at Belsen (i think) and it all sounded very harrowing.
 
desmond said:
Went last week.

Unbelievable.

We actually got this taxi driver who approached us by the big shopping centre before we got to the train station. We were really sceptical about it but it turned out to be absolutely amazing.

His price was 210 zlotys, the exchange rate being 4.5 so worked out amazingly cheap for what we got.

He taxi'd us there, got us into the liberation video free, gave us a fully marked up guide book which he had handmarked which floors of which buildings to go into. Gave us a history lesson on the way there which was very interesting; said we can take as long as we want in Auschwitz 1, to which we decided on 3 hours and went unguided, again a brilliant decision. We still saw everything and went in every building possible, as well as seeing the "death wall" and the gallows etc

He then drove us to Birkenau and said the same, take as long as you want, another 2 hours we decided.

It was more harrowing than the main camp due mainly to size, and the fact it is all in its original state. It was freezing as well which made it seem all the more real.

On this map http://remember.org/camps/birkenau/ he drove us firstly along the road at the front, where you can see B1,B2 and B3 written. Showed us the outbuildings and explained about them, and then drove us all the way round and dropped us off round the back by a couple of farm houses (which are about 200m from the back of the Crem 3 and 4, how people can live there i will never know. He said this is the best way to go because you walk in through the trees as mentioned earlier in the thread. He dropped us about where the 'North' arrow is on that map.

Id say you need 3 hours in each camp minimum.

And we were dropped back at our hostel just off the Old Square back in Krakow

If anyone does go, iv even got his number and would it to anyone to go with him. He genuinely seemed to be far more of a tour guide than a taxi driver.
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Any minge?
 
desmond said:
Went last week.

Unbelievable.

We actually got this taxi driver who approached us by the big shopping centre before we got to the train station. We were really sceptical about it but it turned out to be absolutely amazing.

His price was 210 zlotys, the exchange rate being 4.5 so worked out amazingly cheap for what we got.

He taxi'd us there, got us into the liberation video free, gave us a fully marked up guide book which he had handmarked which floors of which buildings to go into. Gave us a history lesson on the way there which was very interesting; said we can take as long as we want in Auschwitz 1, to which we decided on 3 hours and went unguided, again a brilliant decision. We still saw everything and went in every building possible, as well as seeing the "death wall" and the gallows etc

He then drove us to Birkenau and said the same, take as long as you want, another 2 hours we decided.

It was more harrowing than the main camp due mainly to size, and the fact it is all in its original state. It was freezing as well which made it seem all the more real.
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The majority of the buildings have actually been reconstructed as most of them were destroyed when the Nazi's realised the war was over. The entrance, train tracks etc are all original obviously but the vast majority of the buildings are copies of the original ones.



If you are into history at all Auschwitz-Birkenau is a must see. Going into the gas chambers at the first camp is a moment that will stick with me forever. It's a fascinating and disturbing insight into human nature.
 
soulsaver said:
I would really recommend getting a guide. They didn't rush us even though we were the last to leave the whole, she even took us to areas not open to the public. Seriously there are so many stories that wont be included in the guidebook. One of the most amazing yet saddest days of my life.
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To be honest we had the opposite experience as thought we were really rushed around with a guide. Plus our guide was "training" I think and pretty soon realised from the numerous books I've read I knew more than she did!
It's a place for contemplation not a tourist attraction.
 
Brown Trout said:
The majority of the buildings have actually been reconstructed as most of them were destroyed when the Nazi's realised the war was over. The entrance, train tracks etc are all original obviously but the vast majority of the buildings are copies of the original ones.



If you are into history at all Auschwitz-Birkenau is a must see. Going into the gas chambers at the first camp is a moment that will stick with me forever. It's a fascinating and disturbing insight into human nature.
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There are hardly any buildings at Birkenau though....there's a couple of bunkers/'bathrooms' and some destroyed gas chambers and that's about it. From what I recall anyway :confused:
 
red_army said:
There are hardly any buildings at Birkenau though....there's a couple of bunkers/'bathrooms' and some destroyed gas chambers and that's about it. From what I recall anyway :confused:
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Exactly, most of them were destroyed. I was just saying that of the few buildings that are there the vast majority aren't in their original states. I think the plan is to rebuild them so a few more might have been added since you were there? (i went last year)
 
It's a place for contemplation not a tourist attraction.
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Absolutely right.

Auschwitz-Birkenau is a vast complex and on a cold day it makes you wonder how anyone could have survived, but they did. Also, the drainage ditch around the site was dug by hand by the prisoners. Monumental task.
 
Brown Trout said:
Exactly, most of them were destroyed. I was just saying that of the few buildings that are there the vast majority aren't in their original states. I think the plan is to rebuild them so a few more might have been added since you were there? (i went last year)
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I went last October/November, and from memory there was only about 4/5 buildings, and I'm sure the guide said that none of them (in fact nothing at Birkenau) was rebuilt, only 'restored'...whatever that means. She made a point of saying that they decided not to rebuild anything at that site, only at Auschwitz I, although I may be wrong.

Still a fucking weird/fascinating place to visit. Take your time, spend a full day there.
 
Brown Trout said:
The majority of the buildings have actually been reconstructed as most of them were destroyed when the Nazi's realised the war was over. The entrance, train tracks etc are all original obviously but the vast majority of the buildings are copies of the original ones.



If you are into history at all Auschwitz-Birkenau is a must see. Going into the gas chambers at the first camp is a moment that will stick with me forever. It's a fascinating and disturbing insight into human nature.
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Yes, should have worded it better - the ones that have been reconstructed at Birkenau have the appearance of how they actually were if you know what i mean. Like this http://pictures.polandforall.com/images/auschwitz-birkenau-camp-barracks-interrior.jpg and this http://www.travelblog.org/pix/shim.gif

Aside from that Block 11 (the death block) with the likes of the standing cells in the basement. Standing in one of those where they said 4 people at a time did so was just literally surreal. http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgu...2hAfq2eTBBA&page=1&ndsp=26&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0

As you say the Gas Chambers at the first camp was very very strange to be inside.
 
red_army said:
There are hardly any buildings at Birkenau though....there's a couple of bunkers/'bathrooms' and some destroyed gas chambers and that's about it. From what I recall anyway :confused:
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There was a fair few there to go inside, which is also hardly any as well in the grand scheme of things if you know what i mean. Its absolutely massive isn't it.
 
red_army said:
I went last October/November, and from memory there was only about 4/5 buildings, and I'm sure the guide said that none of them (in fact nothing at Birkenau) was rebuilt, only 'restored'...whatever that means. She made a point of saying that they decided not to rebuild anything at that site, only at Auschwitz I, although I may be wrong.

Still a fucking weird/fascinating place to visit. Take your time, spend a full day there.
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I think restored/rebuilt can be confused, based on from what state they have been 'restored anyway'

There is a lot more than 4/5 there now. There's more than 4 or 5 to the one side of the railway track, and the only 2 we went in the other side had bunks in one (counted 28 bunks with each bunk having 3 'beds' in the one, to hold up to 400:mad:) and the other had the 'toilets' which are simply not fit to be described as toilets
 
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