Auschwitz II-Birkenau concentration camp
Auschwitz II-Birkenau concentration camp, Memorial and open-air museum in Brzezinka, Poland.
Auschwitz II-Birkenau is an open-air museum in Brzezinka, Poland, that covers a large area with preserved barracks, railway tracks and ruins of extermination facilities. The entrance area with its gatehouse leads into several sectors lined with wooden barracks and barbed-wire fencing.
German occupation forces built this camp starting in October 1941 as part of their systematic extermination program. More than one million people died here before liberation in January 1945.
The site hosts national exhibitions from different countries, displaying photographs, personal items and documents that belonged to victims. School groups and visitors often gather at the memorial to participate in public remembrance ceremonies.
Visitors must reserve entry passes through the official website in advance and should plan at least three hours to tour both sections. The grounds are large and walking on unpaved paths can be difficult in wet weather.
The conservation laboratory uses molecular biology methods to preserve thousands of shoes, suitcases and other items from the camp period. This work allows future generations to see the material evidence firsthand.
Location: Brzezinka
Inception: 1940
Operator: Państwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau
Part of: Auschwitz
Opening Hours: January: Monday-Sunday 07:30-15:00; February: Monday-Sunday 07:30-16:00; March: Monday-Sunday 07:30-17:00; April-May: Monday-Sunday 07:30-18:00; June-August: Monday-Sunday 07:30-19:00; September: Monday-Sunday 07:30-18:00; October: Monday-Sunday 07:30-17:00; November: Monday-Sunday 07:30-15:00; December: Monday-Sunday 07:30-14:00
Website: https://auschwitz.org/historia/auschwitz-ii
GPS coordinates: 50.03710,19.17520
Latest update: January 25, 2026 03:10
The south of Poland stretches between Krakow and the Carpathians. There are medieval castles on cliffs, salt mines that became real underground towns since the 13th century, and wooden churches protected by UNESCO. The national parks have trails through gorges and beech forests. The thermal baths...
Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum
265 m
Zentralsauna
644 m
Bunker 1
960 m
Crematorium II
540 m
International Monument for the Victims of Fascism
517 m
Gatehouse Auschwitz II
495 m
Arbeit macht frei-gate
2.3 km
Crematorium III
437 mPark
2.1 km
Ruins of the five Kartofellagerhallen (in the KL Auschwitz-Birkenau complex)
1.2 km
Polish Tobacco Monopoly buildings in Oświęcim
2.1 km
Crematorium IV Auschwitz II
631 m
Magazyn nr 3 („Stabsgebäude”)
2.1 km
Keukengebouw SS
2 km
Magazyn nr 4 („SS-Unterkunftsgebäude”)
2.2 kmKeukengebouw SS
2 km
Bocznice kolejowe Do Monopolu i Baraki (w latach 1940-1944 część KL Auschwitz-Birkenau)
2.2 kmMagazyn nr 1 („Truppenwirtschaftslager”)
2 km
Ruiny magazynu Krautstilo (w zespole KL Auschwitz-Birkenau)
1.1 kmDwór
2.2 kmZespół dworski
2.2 km“Arbeit macht frei” Gate
2.3 kmMain watchtower / Gate of extermination camp
500 mAuschwitz Birkenau Main Gate
419 mZegar słoneczny
2 kmWyzwolenie
1.8 kmInstallation artwork, Work of art
2.2 kmRelief sculpture, Work of art
974 m
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover 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