Oświęcim is a historical town, known throughout Poland and the world. It is located in the Małopolska province, on the Soła River, about 50 km to the west of Krakow, on route 44 from Krakow to Silesia.
Oswiecim has a nice, historic Old Town, which is worth a visit, but it is usually a different destination that attracts visitors to the town. Tourists and historians from all over the world come to Oświęcim in large numbers to see the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau - a tragic remnant of World War II.
1. Auschwitz
During World War II, the Auschwitz extermination camp was established in Oświęcim as a symbol of the Holocaust and Nazi crimes. Today, the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum (20 Prisoners of Oswiecim Street) is located here, showing the unimaginable tragedy behind its walls.
The Museum consists of 2 parts - Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II - Birkenau. The former is located in Oświęcim, the latter in Brzezinka, about 3 km from the center of Oświęcim. It takes at least 3 hours to visit both camps.
The complex of Nazi camps in Oświęcim has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Every year the Museum is visited by one and a half million tourists from all over the world, among them crowned heads of state, state leaders and high-ranking government officials.
2. Monuments in Oświęcim
- Oświęcim Castle, 1 Zamkowa St. - the first castle on the castle hill was built in the 12th century. In 1241, during the Tartar invasion it was destroyed, but later it was quickly rebuilt and the hill was surrounded by a wall. At present, since 2010, the fortress has been the Castle Museum in Oświęcim. The oldest preserved part of the castle is the Castle Tower dating back to the 13th century, brick, unlike other preserved towers from that period, which were built from stone. It was the final point of defense. The tower is also open to tourists.
- Synagogue and Jewish Museum in Oswiecim, 5 Ks. J. Skarbka Square - Chevra Lomdei Mishnayot Synagogue (Hebrew: Association of Mishnay Students) and the Jewish Museum are the local Jewish Center - a symbol of the once great Jewish community in Oswiecim, which co-created the city from the 16th century to the Holocaust. Before World War II, the town had about 20 synagogues and Jewish prayer houses, and the present synagogue is the only one near the camp that was not completely destroyed during the war. It dates back to 1913.
- Parish church in Oświęcim, Dąbrowskiego Street - the first wooden church in this place stood already in the 12th century, the beginnings of the present church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary probably date back to the 16th century. The portal from the presbytery to the sacristy with the visible date "1529" comes from this period. Inside the church you can see interesting monuments, such as the 18th century main altar or the 17th century crucifix.
- Boulevards on the Soła River in Oświęcim
The most charming place in Oświęcim - this is how you can call the Boulevards on the Soła River. The silence, tranquility, natural beauty and majestic Soła create a perfect place for a walk or rest after the hardships of sightseeing. On hot days in Oświęcim, the boulevards are full of people looking to cool down or lying on blankets. They are also frequented by cyclists and people on roller skates. Additional attractions can be experienced every second Sunday from May to September. During this period rent a kayak and let yourself be swept away by the river.