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As you may know, some of the forum members are off to Katowice in Poland next March to see the band at Spodek Stadium.
Auschwitz is only about 50km from Katowice and I wondered if anyone had visited this site?

GG

I visited Auschwitz/Birkenau a couple of years ago and would highly recommend it. It is really hard to put the experience into words.

I think whilst I was there I was somewhat numbed with shock, despite having read much about concentration camps and the holocaust. Nothing can prepare you for entire rooms full of the belongings stolen from the victims (tonnes of childrens clothes, shoes, luggage daubed with the owners details, glasses, hair...), it is these personal items that bring home the individuallity of each victim and the full horror of what happened to them.

Visiting Auschwitz provides the sort of education that can not be taught in a classroom or book.

Hiya

Also been there, and a few others in Poland besides.

It's as Malaika says - its a hell of an experience.  I suggest you go either at the start or end of your stay in Poland - probably better at the start, as then anything else you do during your stay makes you feel glad those Nazi bastards didn't win.  Also, be aware that Auschwitz (or Oswiecim as the Poles call it) is huge and there are a number of sites, though just visiting the main one is enough for most people

Enjoy it or endure it, but don't miss it out of your itinerary

Skotch

Thanks for the recommendations, I have decided I will go to both Auschwitz and Birkenau at the end of the trip. It is much larger than I thoguht, as you say Skotch, so will make it a full day trip.

I have been to S21 in Cambodia and the Killing Fields, like you say the type of education that cannot be taught, you have to be there. They were both moving experiences and I was shocked at the state of Cambodia, compared to Vietnam, as a result of the war.

GG