Crematorium II, Gas chamber and crematorium in Auschwitz II-Birkenau, Poland.
Crematorium II is an underground facility at Auschwitz-Birkenau with gas chambers and furnace rooms connected by corridors. The concrete structure remains partially intact, revealing the physical layout of the killing installation.
The facility was completed and put into operation in spring 1943 as part of the systematic killing program. It remained in use until the liberation of the camp in 1945.
This facility now serves as a place of remembrance where visitors confront the historical reality of what occurred. The preserved remains help people understand and honor the memory of those who were killed.
Access is only by guided tour with trained staff who explain the facility and maintain respectful conditions. The underground rooms are cramped and dark, so visitors should wear sturdy shoes and prepare mentally for what they will see.
Four square holes remain visible in the concrete ceiling of the underground gas chamber, marking where poisonous pellets were introduced. These small details often escape notice despite their stark testimony to the systematic nature of the killing.
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