Most visitors to Oświęcim see only the barbed wire and brick barracks of the main camps. This unique guided tour offers a different path - one that leads not through the gates of Auschwitz-Birkenau, but through the profound human stories that surround them. Join us for an intimate exploration of memory, art, and the hidden sites that often remain on the margins of the main tourist routes.  

The Power of Art: Marian Kołodziej’s Testament Our journey begins at the St. Maximilian Center in Harmęże with the exhibition "The Labyrinths." Here, you will encounter the haunting and deeply spiritual works of former prisoner Marian Kołodziej. Through his art, a survivor attempts to describe the unimaginable. This is a visual testimony that allows you to see the camp experience through the eyes of someone who lived it and sought to tell the story of the inexpressible through art.  

The Threshold of Tragedy: The Judenrampe Next, we visit one of the most significant sites in the entire Auschwitz complex: the Judenrampe. This original deportation platform was the arrival point for thousands of Jews brought to Auschwitz II-Birkenau. Standing in this silent space, you will reflect on the first stage of the Holocaust drama—the moment of arrival, selection, and the beginning of the tragedy for so many.  

The Women’s Penal Company in Bór: A Place of Remembrance In the village of Bór, we stop at the site of the former Women’s Penal Company (Strafkompanie). Here, you will discover the tragic history that unfolded in this quiet space, marked by the most grueling forced labor and the immense suffering of female prisoners. This visit provides a unique opportunity to learn about their individual fates and to pay your respects to the women who lost their lives in this severe penal unit.  

The Local Perspective: Residents and the Occupation The program concludes at the Memory Museum of Land of Oświęcim Residents. Here, you will discover a rarely told side of history: how the war and the proximity of the camp affected ordinary people—neighbors, families, and children. You will learn about the local community's life under German occupation and the courageous impact of those who lived in the shadow of the camp.  

Why Choose This Tour? This is an encounter with memory that teaches sensitivity and responsibility. It is designed for those who wish to understand the Holocaust on a deeper, more personal level, visiting locations that provide vital context and a broader perspective on the history of the region.