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 was there in January- it was minus 10! I was not looking forward to going if I'm honest and hoped I wouldn't regret it. On the contrary I was glad I went. It is very respectful of the people who were imprisoned there and it gave you a real insight into all aspects of their imprisonment. I did have a little cry about half way in but theres nothing wrong with having real feelings for the suffering of other humans. In fact I would say its essential to understand the depth of their despair. Birkenau was a whole other level of desolate. Sad and thought provoking but definitely worth the trip.

I am glad I went. I can imagine it would be very cold so wrap up warm.

one of the things that got me the most was the sheer length of the platform at Birkenau and how long the trains would have been.

i also though Schlinders museum was well worth a visit.

We'd already been to a concentration camp when we visited Krakow. For me, it's a life experience but not one I'd want to repeat. I really understood the atrocities that happened. We visited Ghetto Heroes Square and that's worthwhile and very moving.

If you do the above, make sure you've got the time to just enjoy Krakow. It's not massive, but a lovely safe city, I've been to about 15 cities and definitely my favourite. I can't remember the name of it, but we went to a restaurant in the cellular off the northern street, really good and cheaper than main square. We also enjoyed a meal on a rover boat, but oddly it wasn't busy.

Also just to add the first "tour guides" in the 60s were former prisoners - they wanted everyone to know what went on!!

I obviously can’t really argue because I haven’t been, but I honestly do appreciate the horror of millions of people being murdered.

Im glad I went. I wanted to see for myself and the atmosphere is "at peace now". Yes its sad but we shouldnt avoid these things. My 5 year old son went too and he was ok with it.

Hopefully he didn't understand. I don't think it's an appropriate outing for a 5 year old.

I am glad I went last year. It was harrowing and heartbreaking but I got an idea of the true horror much more than from reading about the Holocaust. I'm 65, tough as old boots normally, but I couldn't help crying at certain exhibits. The shoes and the child's suitcase got to me because I imagined the thoughts that the people had when packing them. I couldn't get it off my mind for weeks afterwards. I'm glad we scheduled the salt mine trip for a different day as we just wanted quiet time after visiting Auschwitz Birkenau.

I went in my mid 30s, nearly 30 years ago. It has stayed with me and I remember the visit very clearly. I found it incredibly moving. I had read a lot of Holocaust literature by that point and studied modern European history to degree level but I don't think I truly understood what Arendt meant by the 'banality of evil' until I had seen it for myself. It was an important visit for me - it contributed to my understanding of the world, and the limits of humanity.

I'm glad I went. We were in Krakow for the Xmas market, but we felt strongly that we should go while we were there. It felt disrespectful not to.

It was very sad, but I didn't get any "evil" vibes. It felt calm and peaceful, kind of like a cemetery or monestary.

I think it's important to go, if you have the opportunity.

I would go seeing as you are going there it will be emotional but worth going I’d say.

With respect I don't think you can understand the scale of it before going there. The scale of the actual camp ( Auschwitz 2/ Birkenau) is huge and not something you can imagine.

My friend went in the 80s and felt the same as yours! I went about 8 years ago and yes it stayed with me but not as bad as I was expecting if that makes sense so not sure if maybe they’ve changed how it was?

It is an experience and definitely makes you think. I have read a lot of books since I visited because of how interested I was, I guess it depends on the person you are but I see it as a piece of history.

Trust your instinct, OP, and don't go.

Enjoy Krakow without seeking out a "harrowing, moving" experience to spoil your Christmas.

I have no intention of visiting the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool either.

I’m planning to go. My ancestors were Polish and I know there were a few of them in concentration camps. My own Grandad escaped Poland on foot and fled through Europe; he spoke very little of what happened to him and his family because he just couldn’t bear to talk about it.

I think it’s important that people still go, just to remember the real people that lived and died there.

I definitely don’t regret going. I took my DD as part of her 21st birthday present at her request (to Krakow, not just Auschwitz!) and we found it life defining and affirming. My family is Polish (not Jewish) and 2 of their lives ended in Auschwitz, so it had deep personal meaning.

Something I was struck by was the large group of Jewish children touring it, wrapped in Israeli flags. It struck me how they felt safe to do so in the one place Jews were never safe and yet they wouldn’t have been able to wear the flag in the middle of London without coming to serious harm.

Ah, the scale of the camp. I meant the scale of the horror.

I’ve been twice, once at 20 (a couple of years after Eastern Europe opened up) and since v recently with my similarly aged son. I think it’s really important people go. It was all happening when my parents were being born - it’s not that long ago.
Also hated the photography. We took none on the first visit but I could picture it for years and the 2nd time we took a couple of the exterior. I recall the guide said here is where the firing squad operated and this women got her iPhone out for a photo. I mean honestly, you don’t forget and you don’t need a photo.

Life is harrowing
We can't hand wring and not want to be exposed to upsetting things
Otherwise how do we learn not to let past evil actions influence the future
You need to expose yourself to upsetting things , you aren't some delicate flower who requires a fainting couch and smelling salts..

Yes let's all bury our heads and the sand and live in unicorn and rainbow world

Also hated the photography. We took none on the first visit but I could picture it for years and the 2nd time we took a couple of the exterior. I recall the guide said here is where the firing squad operated and this women got her iPhone out for a photo. I mean honestly, you don’t forget and you don’t need a photo.

So why did you take photos of the exterior?

I have been to Dachau. I think a visit to a concentration camp once a lifetime is very worthwhile. I wouldn’t necessarily want to go a second time or to another concentration camp as it is a sobering experience, but I think it would be quite odd not to go if you have the opportunity. Although it is not logical, it feels disrespectful to turn a blind eye and I would feel disappointed in myself for not having the strength of character to go. It’s so important we don’t forget.

Yes let's all bury our heads and the sand and live in unicorn and rainbow world

I'm doing nothing of the sort. You can learn about history without indulging in misery tourism.

I've been to another major Holocaust site and honestly I regretted it. It was extremely disturbing and I couldn't get it out of my mind for a long long time. I don't think anyone needs to see it. I know enough about it. I'd never go to Auschwitz, based on that experience.
I'm not sure that it makes anyone a better person either. I don't think people learn how to behave by seeing shocking and traumatic images.