The Great Synagogue Memorial Park in Oświęcim

The Great Synagogue Memorial Park features forty grey sandstone slabs arranged in pathways that outline where the destroyed building once stood. Information plaques and benches throughout the space provide context about the structure and the community it served.

German forces destroyed the Great Synagogue in November 1939, marking the beginning of the Jewish community's persecution in the city. This destruction initiated the events that would reshape Oświęcim over the following years.

The park honors the Jewish community that lived and worked in Oświęcim before World War II. The space tells the story of diverse communities coexisting in the city during the pre-war years.

The memorial is located near the Market Square and easily accessible on foot with clear pathways throughout. Visit during daylight hours to fully appreciate the stone details and information plaques.

Each of the forty sandstone slabs came from industrial waste at a local quarry, where they previously served as cutting bases. This choice to repurpose everyday materials gives the memorial a distinctive way of honoring those remembered here.