Day 33 - Krakow, Poland - Auschwitz & The Salt Mines

Joan's View

We got an early start so that we had the best chance to get tickets for the DeLands to Auschwitz. When we got there, the line was extremely long. We waited in line anyway since Tony & I had tickets for 10:30. After several options presented by our guide, Alex, the DeLands decided to forgo Auschwitz and get a bite to eat.

Auschwitz #1

Where people were hung by their hands

The crematorium 

Pots & pans filled train cars

The line to get in

Thousands of shoes. The red ones came from wealthier people.

The firing squad wall

The plaque to Maximilion Kolbe

The entrance to the gas chamber

The gallow where Rudolf Höss was hung

The entrance to Auschwitz. It was made to look like it continued through a woods.

Auschwitz #2 - Birkenau

Auschwitz Birkenau was 346 acres and is several miles from the first Auschwitz which was much smaller. It was built by the Nazis for greater killing.

The fence and some barracks

The end of the rail line

The rubble of a crematorium after the Nazis destroyed evidence of it

Barracks

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Stopping at a restaurant before the salt mine

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The Wieliczka Salt Mine

This salt mine still is working today. The sculptures were all carved from salt by the miners. The ornate floors in the mine are even salt. Only a tiny section of the mine is open to visitors. If you were to go through the whole mine it would take 9 months.

The DeLands on the way down 40 flights.

The Antonia chamber

Horses lived in the mine.

Water had to be pumped out because it was a danger to the miners.

The seven dwarfs work there too.

The chandeliers are made from salt crystals.

Pope John Paul II in salt

The wedding at Cana in salt.

More of the chapel area.

The water is saltier than the Dead Sea.

The stairs lit up to music by Chopin.

Somebody's gotta taste it.

Theresa's Extras

My favorite of the day was the salt mine chapel. It had beautiful sculptures and beautiful salt crystal chandeliers all done by the salt miners.  It was amazing work that they did on their own after work hours.