Best time to visit auschwitz - summer or winter?

Discussion in 'The Holocaust' started by marcus69x, Sep 12, 2011.

  1. marcus69x

    marcus69x I love WW2 meah!!!

    Hi all,

    I'm hoping to get there pretty soon but just wondered what other members think would be the best time to go - summer or winter?

    Whenever I think of Auschwitz, I always imagine it full of snow in freezing temperatures. Visiting during the winter would help create a more sombre atmosphere and try to get a feel of what it must have been like for the inmates there.

    On the other hand, our lass will be coming along and she wants to go in the summer when it's warmer but I don't really want to wait that long.

    If you had the choice, when would you go? Summer or winter?

    cheers
     
  2. KevinC

    KevinC Slightly wierd

    We went on 3 May and it was cold and wet. Two days later it was in the mid 20's. Best advise is not to look at seasons, but to see when it is peak holiday season. We booked not realising that 3 May was Poland's biggest public holiday and it was way to crowded.
     
  3. marcus69x

    marcus69x I love WW2 meah!!!

    Cheers for the heads up Kevin. Definately don't want it to be too crowded so I'll keep an eye out for that.
     
  4. Son of POW-Escaper

    Son of POW-Escaper Senior Member

    I went in May, and the weather was fine.

    Even as a Canadian (used to cold weather), I could not imagine wandering around Birkenau in the middle of winter. Go during warm weather.

    Marc
     
  5. Motic

    Motic Junior Member

    Winter is definately the best time to go. I went in the middle of December, when the snow was thick and it was extremely cold. It gives you a better sense of the suffering that went on there. The grim, grey weather, the constant snowfall...Imagine those prisoners stood out there for hours with thin clothes (or no clothes) on. It definately looks darker and spookier in Winter.
     
  6. Simple answer. There is no best time to go.
    The people who were incarcerated there did not have the choice.
    I visited in September 2008. I found the experience very moving and somewhat depressing.

    Lest we forget
     
  7. marcus69x

    marcus69x I love WW2 meah!!!

    Winter is definately the best time to go. I went in the middle of December, when the snow was thick and it was extremely cold. It gives you a better sense of the suffering that went on there. The grim, grey weather, the constant snowfall...Imagine those prisoners stood out there for hours with thin clothes (or no clothes) on. It definately looks darker and spookier in Winter.

    Exactly my thoughts mate. :)
     

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