A question for anyone who’s been to Auschwitz

[AI41]

Are you pleased you went, or do you regret going?

We’re going to Krakow on Boxing Day for a few days, and inevitably will need to discuss whether to visit Auschwitz. I’m going with two friends and obviously they can make their own decision. One of my friends is very interested in the war so I suspect he will want to go.

I was once told by someone who visited in the 80s that he regretted going because the horror has never left him. I am erring towards not going. But other people who’ve visited said to go and they don’t regret it at all.

I haven't been to Auschwitz, but I have been to Dachau. I would have been about 11. It made a huge impression on me, and really brought home what it must have been like for prisoners of war.

I'd definitely be going if I were you.

We went 3 years ago. For the first couple of weeks afterwards it was all I could think about. I don't regret going, I think it is important that people experience it if they are able to

I was pleased I went. It’s devastating and emotional but I wouldn’t say the horror never left me. It’s an eye opening, important experience

I've not been but my son went with school. He didn't tell me too much about it but it was definitely a thought provoking visit and an important one I think.

I’ve also been to Dachau. I’m glad I went, but it’s something I’ll never forget.

We went last October. It was harrowing but we felt important that we went.

I would say to book it as soon as possible if you're going as it gets very, very busy trips get booked up and wear warm clothes.

I’ve been and it was an experience I’m really glad we had, and that we showed our children. Definitely go.

I went with my adult DD. I found it very sad and moving but we were both glad we went. However, we were horrified by the disrespectful behaviour of some of the other visitors who were there that day.

Definitely go.

Unbelievably moving and horrifying. I went 25 years ago when I was 19 and the feelings I experienced has never left me.

Be prepared to be disappointed by your fellow tourists, however.

It's not a pleasant experience but I don't regret going, I'd definitely go if I were you.

I do wish we'd gone our last day in Poland as the visit was harrowing and I needed a while to process it. I didn't enjoy the following day as I just wanted a blanket and to sit on the sofa.

I was pleased I went, and I think anyone who can go, should. It affected me a lot and I'm not an emotional person at all

I've been twice. Once many years ago with a friend and then a couple of years ago with my son. It is harrowing, but I thinks it's not to be missed to remind us of the horrors that mankind can inflict on others. And still does.

I've been. I've also been to the killing fields in Cambodia. It's definitely an experience that stays with you. I don't regret going, but it's not something I would want to repeat.

Thank you. Seems quite unanimous.

I really appreciate the importance of remembering the horrors of the Holocaust. But I imagine it is just so harrowing. I don’t know if going just feels too chilling. Really torn.

I went on a school trip when I was 17/18. The memories have never left me but I am glad I went.

This. So many horrid people taking selfies, filming in areas they are specifically told are camera free zones, having photoshoots. I think they should ban all photography if I'm honest because people just can't be trusted!

I'm very glad I went and will never forget going but it felt very heavy. I couldn't believe the size.

I went on a school trip when I was 17, it’s an experience that has never left me. I think if you can go, you should

I’m not sure I’d go. To be honest, and I know this is a wet lettuce thing to feel, I’d be worried it would just be so profoundly awful that it would adversely affect me and never leave me.
I would though think about going to Ravensbruck, largely because I’d like to see the drawings the prisoners did of each other. I find that a sign of hope, defiance and resilience.

We went in February, 100% go, so interesting as there is so much to learn, definitely an experience that stays with you, I think about it every couple of days.

Don't underestimate how cold it will be, in February it was -10 before the windchill in mid afternoon, which just added to the horror of what those poor people experienced really. Definitely go.

I’ve been twice. It was interesting to see it. It’s thought provoking and they treat it as a memorial.

My daughter was very traumatised by it and was for a long time afterwards. It was a school trip in Year 8.

Defo go. I didn’t want to at first, but it was my then-husband who insisted when we visited Krakow, and it was an intense must-do experience. Moving, thought provoking. I think everyone should go.

I agree OP should go, and I’m sorry to nitpick, but the poor people held in Dachau were not "prisoners of war".

Prisoners of war are combatants captured and held by the enemy. The people held and murdered at Dachau were political opponents of Hitler, gay men, people with disabilities, Roma and Jews.

I can only imagine how awful the behaviour is now with camera phones & social media

When I went people just had normal digital cameras and it was bad enough then, posing in front of the gates etc.

I've been twice. Don't regret it at all