Auschwitz I – Stammlager
The second day of my Poland travel were the concentration camps. The first camp was Auschwitz-1 or Stammlager.
The camp is located South-West of the small city of Auschwitz. It was together with Auschwitz II -Birkenau and Auschwitz III-Monowitz one of the biggest German concentration camps. On the way to the camp the bus passed Auschwitz III-Monowitz, were IG-Farben was located. This place was huge. Our guide told us that in 1944 about 11.000 Jews where working at this place. The liberation and time left only ruins. This labour camp was about 500 meters long and 270 m wide. Around the camp, mostly on private property, you could see some small guardhouses.
After a half hour drive we arrived at Auschwitz I-Stammlager. Let a small photo-impression speak for itself.














On this execution wall the prisoners were shot in the back of the head. The body’s were piled up in the corner to the left. This place was merely used for convicted prisoners, or criminals.


Below you can see one part of the “Book of names”. In this book every single name for everyone who has been in Auschwitz known so far is registered. Next to the name you can see if the person has survived or not, and the known period the prisoner stayed in the Stammlager.

The guarding path, where the guards patrolled with dogs. On the fence high voltage.


The gas chamber and crematorium, which was later used a shelter for air attacks.



A warning sign.

The gallow on which Rudolf Höss, the camp commander, was executed.

A personal impression of the side.

Visit
We took half a day to visit this place what’s not enough to see it all. Entrance is free, as is Auschwitz II -Birkenau. For the guides you’ll have to pay.
My advice is do it on your own and take the time you need, especially true for Auschwitz II -Birkenau where you easily could spent two days to see and read it all.
More on Auschwitz read the post: Poland under the Nazis. (part 2) – Auschwitz 2 (Birkenau).
Hi. I have original documents from the camp from my family. My grandfather and my grand uncle. Survivors of that camp.