If you have favourite destination place in your list then you can must prepare for visit Auschwitz from Berlin or from any other city that is near to it. This is something that might concern you if you are a complete novice when it comes to such style of tours. Here is your complete guide to touring Auschwitz from Berlin to help you make most of your experience visiting this terrible place.
What is Auschwitz?
Auschwitz also referred to as Auschwitz-Birkenau was the biggest concentration and genocide camp created by Nazi Germany in the Second World War. Situating this horrible site in Oswiecim, Poland has remained a brutal historical evidence of holocaust and all the several millions of unsalvable lives.
Why a Visit to Auschwitz from Berlin?
Travelling to Berlin and then to Auschwitz is a great opportunity to honor the victims of holocaust tragedy. It is a chance to obtain the knowledge of this phase in people’s lives and gain the information of what racism and hatred lead to, thus making sure that the events like that are not repeated ever again.
Door to Hell: How to Get from Berlin to Auschwitz?
There are several transportation options available to reach Auschwitz from Berlin:
Train: Travel by rail from Berlin Hauptbahnhof (central station) to Krakow in Poland that is the nearest city to this camp. While in Krakow, you can hire a local bus or even a taxi and get to the museum commonly known as the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum.
Guided Tour: Another easily accessible tour is that which originates in Berlin but it is actually a guided tour to Auschwitz that also includes the transport to and from Auschwitz. The fact that it is an organized day tour means that all the details are handled for the benefit of the visitor.
Car Rental: If you have your own car, you can also drive through the 4-hour trip from Berlin to Auschwitz by car if you fancy it. It should, however, be noted that some parking facilities exist around the museum but they are definitely scarce.
Planning Your Visit
Prior planning is crucial to ensure a smooth and meaningful visit to Auschwitz:
Booking your Tickets
Currently there is high traffic and therefore it is advisable to book your tickets in advance. The tickets for the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Memorial can be bought on their official website. Decide on the type of Auschwitz tour you want as there are self-guided and guided tours and then the date and time of the tour you wish for.
Choosing a Guided Tour
Touring involving a guide is however advisable as professional guides offer a lot of information and background throughout the tour to the site. They assist guide you through the history and importance of site while providing information to your queries.
Visitor Information
You should also take time to learn more about the visitor information that is required before arriving for the visit. This ranges from adornments such as the type of clothes allowed, banned items and taking of pictures inside such places. It is important to fully dress appropriately before entering Auschwitz and hynotized during visit as well.
Visiting Hospital? What to Expect During Your Visit?
Auschwitz Birkenau Museum is generally known as two sites, one said as Auschwitz I and the other said as Auschwitz II Birkenau. Here’s what you can expect to see:
Auschwitz I
Auschwitz I was the central, initially designed for political prisoners. Today, it is one of the historical centers with presented exhibitions, as well as saved buildings for guests. Notable parts are the prisoner’s living quarters, the deceptive sign that says ‘arbeit macht frei’ which means work shall set you free and the gassing and cremation chambers.
Auschwitz II-Birkenau
Auschwitz II-Birkenau is much larger area and it encompasses the grounds of the former extermination camp. In its capacity it represents the enormity of the Holocaust and the ambitious goals of the Final Solution. They are also allowed to see the train tracks, look at the watchtowers, prisoner barrens and the remains of the gas chamber and crematoria sections.
Remembering the Victims
However, during the entire visit to the camp, we should not derogate from victims of Auschwitz. Complete decorum should be accorded the site. It’s also important to stop for a moment and consider just how massive this tragedy was and offer your tributes at memorials and monuments.
Tips for Your Visit
Here are some essential tips to ensure a meaningful and respectful visit:
These recommendations come from avoiding overcrowded places and giving oneself enough time to visit the area.
Rain and bring a sweater or a jacket because the atmosphere of the visit is rather sad.
Take a bottle of water and a snack because there isn’t much offered on site.
Take breaks when needed. The emotional strain ofenscholars themselves pointed out can be gargantuan.
Although listening to your guide or the audio guide to some particular location or exhibit is important, don’t do it without thinking about what you’re really hearing most of the time.
Conclusion
Auschwitz is a very important place for tourists that give the insight of the holocaust experiences. When you have come to Auschwitz from Berlin, you can make an effort to learn, remember the victims, and take an individual stand for a world without hatred and prejudice.
Please remember people, it is very important to be mentally prepared to visit Auschwitz, but seeing the horrors of holocaust makes you a better person, makes you more sympathetic. Visitors should also plan their visit keenly In as much as respecting the site, visitors should also keep the memories alive to honor the events of that site so that they can be remembered throughout generations.