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Auschwitz is a city in Poland. History and sights of the city

Auschwitz is a city in the Republic of Poland, whose name is heard by everyone. What is the history of the city? What are the attractions in it?

Auschwitz

The city is just 60 kilometers from Krakow. It is located in the Auschwitz lowland near the place where the Sola and Pshempsh rivers flow into the Vistula. This is a very small city in Poland, which was sadly famous throughout the world during the Second World War as Auschwitz. Here was one of the largest concentration camps.

Today the city has about 40 million inhabitants. Modern Auschwitz is developing as a major commercial and industrial center of the country. And the residents themselves emphasize the Polish pronunciation of the name - "Auschwitz", and not the German "Auschwitz", which recalls the tragic events of the past. The city has three official symbols: a flag, a coat of arms and an emblem. On the city flag there is an image of the coat of arms on a blue background. The coat of arms of Auschwitz depicts a tower with a scarlet roof and two eagles on its sides. The emblem of the city was made in 2002, it graphically depicts the figure of a dove - a symbol of peace and unity of all races.

History

This city in Poland appeared in the XII century, later it was almost completely destroyed. In the XIII century it was restored and immediately received the status of the city. For Auschwitz, there have been constant disputes between the Czech Republic and Poland, as the city has long been the center for the sale of salt.

In the 16th century, Jews began to settle in it. A century later, the Polish king Vladislav IV gives them privileges for living: at home, the right to open a synagogue and the foundation of a cemetery. By the beginning of the 20th century, Jews accounted for about 40% of the urban population.

In the XVIII century the city became part of the Austrian Empire. He returns to Poland after the First World War. During the time of Austrian rule, Auschwitz became a major railway junction, it built factories, schools, churches. Part of the city architecture of that time has survived to this day.

Before the Second World War in Auschwitz, there were more than 8,000 Jews. In 1939, German troops entered the city, adding it to the Third Reich. A concentration camp was organized here. The city was liberated in 1945.

Former camp Auschwitz

Thousands of people visit the city every year in order to feel the atmosphere of the horror that once reigned here. The Germans called it Auschwitz. It is this name that has been fixed in the world memory for many years.

Immediately after the capture of the Polish territory, the German troops organized a camp here, which consisted of three complexes. Hundreds of thousands of people were kept in cramped barracks. During the war in Auschwitz, more than a million people were killed, 90% of whom were Jews.

The city was liberated in 1945, and in 1947 the camp became a museum. Now Auschwitz is included in the World Heritage List. The organizers of the museum left barracks and barbed wire. Different pavilions are devoted to different nationalities. New installations, old photos, clothes and other things of prisoners are presented here.

In one of the pavilions behind the glass wall is a lot of shoes and shoes belonging to the prisoners of Auschwitz. Not everyone can stand this sight.

The city's attractions

Outside the camp-museum life goes on as usual. Behind the walls of the former camp is a completely different - a sweet and pleasant Auschwitz. The sights of the city are typical European narrow streets and ancient architecture.

In the city there is a castle built in the XII century. It is the oldest building in Auschwitz. The castle is on a hill and is surrounded by thick trees. During the attack of the Tatars, he was destroyed. Prince Mieszko II rebuilt it anew in the XII century, surrounded with the fortress walls.

In Auschwitz, there are several old churches. For example, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary or the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin. In the center of the city there is a town hall and a market square. Attention is also drawn to the chapel of St. Jack and the Church of Our Lady of the Memories of the Faithful.

Walking through the streets of Auschwitz, you can notice many houses with quite interesting architecture. Among other things, here is the home of Shimon Kluger - the last Jew who lived in this city. Now in his house there is a Jewish museum.

Within the city are the parish and Jewish cemetery, as well as the Jewish synagogue Hevra Lomdey Mishnaes, founded in 1918.

Conclusion

Auschwitz is a city with a long and uneasy history, which has two sides. One side is a terrible and tragic past, the evidence of which is a former concentration camp. The other is the old streets, architectural sights and a pleasant atmosphere.

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