Oświęcim, Industrial municipality in Lesser Poland, Poland
Oświęcim is a municipality in southern Poland located where the Vistula and Soła rivers meet in the Lesser Poland region. Industrial zones surround the historic center with its medieval castle, and residential neighborhoods from different eras spread along the riverside streets.
The settlement gained town rights in the 13th century and later became the capital of a duchy that joined Bohemia in 1307. In the 20th century, the regime transformed the area into a concentration camp, making the name known worldwide as a symbol of persecution.
The castle houses a museum showing everyday objects and crafts from earlier centuries, while the Jewish center preserves documents and photographs of the multicultural community that once lived here. Residents walk along the Soła river promenade, and some workshops in the old town still follow traditional methods passed down through families.
Travelers reach the municipality by National Road 44 or by train from Krakow and Katowice, with journey times under an hour. The center streets are easy to walk, and both the castle and the Jewish center can be visited in a morning.
Before World War II, Jews made up more than half of the roughly 14,000 residents and shaped the economic and cultural life of the town. Today, few buildings recall that era, but archives preserve photographs of market days and synagogues showing everyday life from those years.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Auschwitz Jewish Center
231 m
Oświęcim Castle
254 m
Oświęcim Synagogue
229 m
Our Lady Help of Christians church in Oświęcim
149 m
Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Oświęcim
150 m
Great Synagogue in Oświęcim
145 m
Ratusz w Oświęcimiu
51 m
Kaplica św. Jacka w Oświęcimiu
136 mThe Great Synagogue Memorial Park in Oświęcim
123 m
Jewish cemetery in Oświęcim
880 m
Jewish Museum and Synagogue
231 mCmentarz rzym.-kat.
428 m
Kościół Matki Bożej Bolesnej w Oświęcimiu
293 mKlasztor
298 mKościół Matki Boskiej Bolesnej
289 m
Oświęcim City Library
687 m
Ratusz,obecnie Sąd Rejonowy
76 m
Serafitki monastery in Oświęcim
294 mOgrodzenie z bramą
428 mDom przedpogrzebowy
424 mKaplica
393 m
8 Rynek Główny in Oświęcim
51 m
Salesians of Don Bosco monastery in Oświęcim
156 m
Saint Hyacinth church in Oświęcim
140 mOgrodzenie
293 m
Zespół klasztorny dominikanów, ob. salezjanów
232 mZespół cmentarza rzym.-kat.
456 mUkład urbanistyczny, XIV/XV
23 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes