Auschwitz in Photos – When Words Are Just Not Enough
Auschwitz
„If the sun ever shines here?“ That’s what I asked myself when I got out of the car at three degrees Celsius and a grey sky.
I was spechless!
This article has no real „layout“. And that’s on purpose No „Yours Barbara“ in the end, no newsletter subscription, no recommended articles. It seemed important to me to do it like this. And it’s on purpose that this article consists almost only of photos. Because all this pain, thi suffering… I don’t have words for it. Although photos can’t describe it either, it seemed the best way to me.
It’s place consisting of more than 40 camps. I’ve seen only two of them – Auschwitz I and Auschwitz 2-Birkenau. Enough misery for one day.
That’s why I let my photos speak now:
After 1,5 hours at Auschwitz I we went to Auschwitz II-Birkenau – a 10 minutes ride away. 90 percent of the victims – mostl Jews, but as well jipsies, Polish, Soviets – has been murdered here.
In one of the barracks I saw this heart of small stones:
Arbeit macht frei – Work sets you free
Houses. Depressing. Dark.
The Museum
Descriptions in the museum
Cans of Zyklon B
The bags with names of their owners on it
Mountains of shoes
That’s where people had sleep
A Hallway of Photos
Shooting Wall
Barb Wire Fence
Where the SS soldiers could go when the weather was bad
At a Crematorium
Auschwitz II-Birkenau – This is where the trains arrived
This was one of the gas chambers at Auschwitz II-Birkenau
Auschwitz II-Birkenau
Auschwitz II-Birkenau barb wire fence
Train in Birkenau
Baracks in Auschwitz II-Birkenau
Stones are heavier than flowers…
Your pictures are touching my heart! They are a good homage for all those people…
Vic
Thank you 🙂 Happy you like them!
Words cannot describe the horror of the camps. You were right. My family is split. Oma und Opa left large families behind when they emmigrated. I have never brought up the subject of the Nazis with them. So I am doubly grateful for what you have penned. The horror of it is evident in those simple photos. Vielen Dank.
Hi Sandy,
thank you so much for your comment! I very much appreciate your heads up! It’s a horrible topic and nothing will ever change that.
All the best!
Barbara
Hi Barbara,
I found your site because I am planning a visit to Auschwitz.
Your pictures already give a telling and respectful insight in the horror take took place there.
Thanks
Maarten
Hi Maarten,
I appreciate your comment! It’s a sensitive topic and I hope I handled it in an appropriate way. I gave my best!
All the best!
Barbara
Grusomme bilder men fine Jeg fatter det ikke uskyldige folk utsettes for dette stakkars mennesker en vil ikke tro at slik grusomheter er sant men det er det Det er barbariske grusomheter jeg er rystet Stakkars filk folk små barn Jeg håper de som gjorde det brenner i helvetesild for alltid Svin fy faen det er så trist stakkars folk
Hello Barbara,
My late mother in law, God rest her soul, was a Jewish immigrant from England. She never went into detail regarding the war and all the horrible acts the Nazi’s performed on her race. I respected her tremendously and figured she would open up when she was ready, but alas that day never came. I really appreciated your photo entries. It really put it into perspective for me. Now I fully understand my mother in laws reluctance to engage in a conversation about that terrible time in history.
Thank you so much for your candor and amazing photos.
Take care.
Rick
Hello Rick,
thank you for your kind words. It’s good to know that my photos help people understand the past a little better. Even if it’s impossible to understand all of it.
Take care,
Barbara
I went there in 2004. My father, a U.S. jew who lived through the war couldn’t go because of the emotional impact. Upon entry I was given a white rose to place where I saw fit. I placed it on a display case of children’s clothes and other items. I stood at the shooting wall to get a vague sense of what had happened there. I am satisfied that I went there to witness the utter cruelty of man’s inhumanity to man. I will not forget the experience! Thanks for your pictures they are a potent reminder of a powerful emotional experience.
Hi Andrew,
thank you for sharing this emotional moment with us.
Take care,
Barbara