Auschwitz tourist building

RACPISA · Post by **RACPISA** » 10 May 2003 17:31

I read a book recently that had a chapter about Auschwitz as a tourist site. Now, I don't have a problem with people visiting the site so they can memorialize relatives, but there was one thing that bugged me. I heard that they took a building that had previously been used as a disinfecting/tatooing station for the incoming prisoners and turned it into a lobby for tourists. There is a gift shop there and a restaurant and a movie theater! The book didn't go into any details, but I was wondering...What kind of food do they serve in the restaurant? What movies do they show in the theater? What kind of souveniers do they sell? And isn't this all a tad on the disrespecful side? I mean, I know guests need a place to eat but why didn't they build a restaurant off the site or something?

CHRISCHA · Post by **CHRISCHA** » 10 May 2003 23:35

The films shown and books sold are all holocaust related. I think you probably could work that one out.

Refreshments are sold as the area is quite large, people travel and need refueling and there are quite a high number of elderly visitors.

I was unaware the tatooing room (for numbering on the arm) and disinfecting room were part of the same building.

Helly Angel · Post by **Helly Angel** » 11 May 2003 22:33

This is the website of a guy who visited and make photos in several historic places of the Holocaust, I think is interesting about your thread becasue i write about his impressions:

http://www.scrapbookpages.com/Poland/Au ... itz01.html

best,

RACPISA · Post by **RACPISA** » 12 May 2003 03:33

"Pictured below is the entrance to the administration building, designed by architect Walther Dejaco, which now houses a restaurant, bookstore, currency exchange, post office, movie theater and museum exhibits, as well as the offices of the museum administrators. Without a guide, most visitors would never guess that this building was once where the incoming prisoners to the concentration camp were registered, bathed, deloused, tattooed, shaved and then given a blue and gray striped prison uniform to wear."

Yup, this was what I was talking about. Thanks a lot for the link, HellyAngel. The pictures were really interesting. I don't think it's wrong for there to be something outside the camp for the locals to do, I just thought it was kind of weird that they used an old building as a tourist site.

Hasso · Post by **Hasso** » 12 May 2003 03:39

I agree with Chrischa. I have been there 6 times, and I have never gotten the impression of anything that would appear odd. The exhibits in the old Administration building (which is what you're referring to) are designed to provide the visitor with important information prior to visiting the camp proper. The cinema shows documentary films about the camp. The cafe is not ostentatious or unwelcome to the many busloads of visitors that tour the camp daily.

I believe the comittee that set up the camp as a memorial made a wise choice by chosing the Administration building for the entrance, cinema, book shop, and cafe. It provides the ability to regulate the huge amount of visitors in one location, technically not in the camp proper (meaning the prisoners compound) and therefore does not desecrate this portion. It is done with taste and compassion. Plus, there is simply no other building of the size required to accomplish this without construction of an entirely new complex outside the camp confines.

I should add that Auschwitz is not the only memorial site to utilize former camp buildings in the exhibit. Dachau uses the administration building for the exact same purpose (including the cinema), and Buchenwald as well I believe. I'm not certain about Bergen-Belsen, though, I will have to check my pictures for that.

RACPISA · Post by **RACPISA** » 13 May 2003 02:46

Wow, I want to thank you guys so much for putting it all in perspective. I guess it's not really that disrespectful after all.

Dingerz · Post by **Dingerz** » 22 May 2003 01:34

I was there last summer and I too felt that everything was done with great respect. They have now built a mall type area across the street from the Auschwitz entrance which provides mostly food, but also houses other areas as prayer centres. So they'll never have to commercialize the original camp to house new public needs. (which is a very good thing)

Overall I was shocked at how huge the camp is (not that I didn't thnk it was big but my god..) One would have to go there a few times just to see everything. We were there at 8am and left at around 5ish and I was not able to see most of the exhibits in the main camp buildings. I think this gives you an idea of the scope of the site.

Our tour guide was highly compassionate as well. I was extremely pleased of the way she handled herself while explaining all of the horrible things that had occurred. I was just disturbed at how many times she said "and therefore the Holocaust occurred" I know who she is aiming those words at, but it chilled me to think that anyone could go there and STILL not believe.. Some of the exhibits there made my heart go through my mouth. It is sickening how anyone would deny the Holocaust in view of such evidence.

On a lighter note and oddly enough, I saw my first fox close up there! It was in the Birkenau camp near "Canada" (the stolen goods housing units) I was able to creep right up to it and take its picture.

Anyways, a chilling but very worthwhile visit. I am glad to have finally gone.

Tara

Hasso · Post by **Hasso** » 22 May 2003 02:47

That's really strange. I saw a fox there as well, while taking a moment to rest walking around Birkenau.

demonio · Post by **demonio** » 22 May 2003 03:59

I heard that animals dont like to go near there, especially birds. Is there any truth to this ?

nejxn12 · Post by **nejxn12** » 22 May 2003 08:09

I first visited the main brick Camp in 1963, it had just been opened to the public as a museum. The only souvinier was from a small wooden kiosk, most of the buildings were still closed, and I was able to go up to one of these, and after cleaning the dirt from the window, was able to see a room which had straw and various untensils a plate and cup lying on the floor, so I assume that after the camp was cleared in 1945 most of the buildings were locked up, until a decision was made to open it as a museum. We were guided by my uncle who was in the camp the 2nd day after liberation, he told us what he saw that day. It has since been sanitised, and some of the buildings have been remodelled to allow exhibitions to be displayed, they are done tastefully. But there also some buildings kept locked.

I have been back now at least six times, a sort of pilgramage I suppose, also the more visitors, then the more pressure there is to those in charge showing that there is a need to keep the camp open for future generations.

The films showing are copies of the original film taken by the Soviets of the camp, the evidence and the main architechts of the camp, it is obligatory for all groups to view the film prior to being guided around the camp.

Birds are in the area, but you do not notice them in the camp grounds like you would in a park

John

Axis History Forum

Auschwitz tourist building

Auschwitz tourist building

Thanks for the link

Museum building