Oswiecim is a city in the Republic of Poland whose name is on everyone's lips. What is the history of the city? What attractions does it have?
Auschwitz
The city is only 60 kilometers from Krakow. It is located in the Auschwitz Lowland near the place where the rivers Sola and Przempsh flow into the Vistula. This is a very small city in Poland, which became infamous 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 focus on the Polish pronunciation of the name - "Auschwitz", and not on 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. The city flag has a coat of arms on a blue background. The emblem of Auschwitz depicts a tower with a scarlet roof and two eagles on the 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 XIIcentury, later it was almost completely destroyed. In the XIII century, it was restored and immediately received the status of a city. Behind Auschwitz there were constant disputes between the Czech Republic and Poland, since the city had long been a center for the sale of s alt.
In the 16th century, Jews began to settle in it. And a century later, the Polish king Vladislav IV gives them privileges for living: houses, the right to open a synagogue and found a cemetery. By the beginning of the 20th century, Jews made up about 40% of the urban population.
In the 18th century, the city becomes part of the Austrian Empire. It returned to Poland after the First World War. During the Austrian domination, Auschwitz became a major railway junction, factories, schools, churches were built in it. Part of the urban architecture of that time has survived to this day.
Before World War II, there were over 8,000 Jews in Auschwitz. In 1939, German troops entered the city, annexing it to the Third Reich. A concentration camp was set up here. The city was liberated in 1945.
Former Auschwitz camp
Thousands of people visit the city every year to feel the atmosphere of horror that once reigned here. The Germans called it Auschwitz. It was this name that stuck in world memory for many years.
Immediately after the capture of Polish territory, German troops organized a camp here, which consisted of three complexes. Hundreds of thousands of people were kept in cramped barracks. During the war, more than a million people were killed in Auschwitz, 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 the barracks and barbed wire. Different pavilions are dedicated to different nationalities. Here are new installations, old photographs, clothes and other things of prisoners.
In one of the pavilions behind a glass wall there are many boots and shoes that belonged to the prisoners of Auschwitz. This sight is not for everyone.
City attractions
Outside the museum camp, life goes on as usual. Behind the walls of the former camp there is a completely different one - nice and pleasant Auschwitz. The sights of the city are typical European narrow streets and ancient architecture.
The city has a castle built in the 12th century. It is the oldest building in Auschwitz. The castle is located on a hill and is surrounded by dense trees. During the attack of the Tatars, it was destroyed. Prince Mieszko II rebuilt it in the 12th century, surrounding it with fortified walls.
There are several old churches in Auschwitz. For example, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary or the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin. In the city center are the town hall and the market square. The Chapel of St. Jack and the Church of Our Lady of Remembrance of the Faithful also attract attention.
Walking along the streets of Auschwitz, you can see many houses with quite interesting architecture. Among other things, here is the house of Shimon Kluger, the last Jew who lived in this city. Now the Jewish Museum is located in his house.
WithinThe city has a parish and Jewish cemetery, as well as the Jewish synagogue Chevra Lomdey Mishnaes, founded in 1918.
Conclusion
Auschwitz is a city with a long and complicated history that has two sides. One side is the terrible and tragic past, evidence of which is the former concentration camp. The other is ancient streets, architectural sights and a pleasant atmosphere.
