Auschwitz I

[metaphorge]

DSCF0485, originally uploaded by metaphorge.

What's commonly known as "Auschwitz" is actually three separate concentration camps.

Auschwitz I was first established in 1940 and served as the administrative hub for the whole complex (and is the current site of the museum exhibits).

At any time, the camp held between 13,000 and 16,000 inmates; in 1942 the number reached 20,000. It was the site of the deaths of roughly 70,000 people, mostly Poles and Soviet prisoners of war.

There are more photos of Auschwitz I here; obviously, some of you may find them trigger-y.

Comments

[m0usegrrl.livejournal.com]

God. ::shudders:: There's no effin' way I'd ever be able to go anywhere near one of those places. I'm getting the heebies just from the pictures.

::fierce hugs::

[fizzyg23.livejournal.com]

thanks for sharing your pictures...i don't see myself being able to visit these places anytime soon, but it's very interesting (and sad) to be able to see it through pictures.

[tinhuviel.livejournal.com]

I'm not looking at the other pictures. Being there would freak me out beyond my capacity to express. My Inner Jewess is seriously flipped at the moment. You're a strong soul to go there.

[merenwentari.livejournal.com]

We must never forget.

Thank you for reminding us.

[prettyoctopussy.livejournal.com]

When I visited there, it was summer and everything was disconcertingly bright and pretty. Green lawns, beautiful poplars, sunshine. Even inside the buildings it all seemed so clean. Mostly I felt confused, because I thought I was supposed to feel horrified, but I just couldn't connect it with what I'd read, which had reached me much more.

[whitecrow0.livejournal.com]

I have very much been looking forward to your pictures and posts about this leg of your journey; I knew that they'd be powerful. Thank you for sharing.

[serynade.livejournal.com]

My uncle was one of the first American Soldiers into this camp when it was penetrated. He doesn't speak of it at all and he has a purple heart for his courage to pull out what survivors remained but he will never show anyone. Just from pictures, my heart went into my throat and tears started to well up. I've been to the Holocaust Museum in DC and that was bad enough. I admire you all for your guts to actually be there among the energy that I'm sure still resides in every inch.

[dancinglights.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

There is a bit of my heart that keeps wanting to visit one of these places, to remember. In a twisted-up fate, I feel like I wouldn't exist if they didn't, as my grandmother's less-immediate family were victims and consequently her immediate family fled to the US just in time. I don't know their whole story; the only ones that knew it couldn't bring themselves to talk, and are dead now. As they couldn't bring themselves to talk, I don't think I can bring myself to go. Thank you for bringing it here, in respect and sadness, small enough for me to handle right now.