Auschwitz-Birkenau and Kraków, Poland

I specifically visited Kraków so that I could go to Auschwitz-Birkenau (it was as depressing as you'd expect), and was pleased to find the city thoroughly charming, and quite busy at the end of winter.


The Auschwitz concentration camp entrance gate with the sign "Arbeit macht frei" or "Work makes you free" (a replica of the original sign, which was stolen in December 2009, and since recovered, cut into three pieces)


Auschwitz electric fence


Birkenau extermination camp: end of the line (I could not believe how many tourists were getting their photos taken, draped across these train tracks)


Birkenau memorial


Birkenau memorial


Birkenau gas chamber destroyed by German troops as the Soviet forces approached in November 1944


Guard tower with Birkenau camp buildings in the background


Wawel Hill featuring Wawel Castle, Kraków


Wawel Cathedral


Dominican Church, Kraków old town


Church of SS Peter and Paul, Kraków old town


Town Hall tower, Rynek Główny (Main Market Square), Kraków old town


Rynek Główny


St Mary's Basilica, Rynek Główny


Florian Gate, Kraków old town


Old city walls extending from Florian Gate


Courtyard of Collegium Maius, the oldest university building in Poland

Next: Budapest, Hungary...