Belzeç concentration camp Poland 2015.

Established November 1st, 1941, Belzec extermination center consisted of two camps divided into three parts: administration section, barracks and storage for plundered goods, and extermination section. Initially, there were three gas chambers using carbon monoxide housed in a wooden building. They were later replaced by six gas chambers in a brick and concrete building. Belzec extermination center began operations March 17th, 1942 and ended operations December 1942. The estimated number of deaths is 500-600,000, mainly Jews.We visited 10th June and found the museum totally silent,no birds no nothing...the mounds of volcanic like rocks were all put there during 2004 as well as the eerie sections of twisted strands of reinforcing bar that reprisents the victims desperately all struggling to stay alive..very disturbing indeed.I managed to find some old loco sheds nearby that was used to store the clothing and shoes etc taken from the victims.I also found Christien Wirth`s house where he lived whist running the camp..it is derelict and up for sale.

Belzec...a very silent place indeed.Might be that no one else was here when we visited,but you could have heard a pin drop...
We walk over the rail line to get to the camp..pretty much how the unfortunates did way back on their final journey.
The line to the left is still used but the right one is the original that ended at the camp..well,actually it ran another few hundred yards along to some railway sheds.
Looking the opposite direction.
In we go.
I dont think the rust was intentional,but I think it adds to the effect.
Quite impressive.
The entrance to the museum.
The memorial opened in 2004.
Haunting stack of railway lines stacked together.
Visually quite stunning.
Touching verse.
I cannot imagine being one of 200 hundred crammed into a cattle wagon.
Along the edge of the path running round the memorial is the names of towns that lost people here in Belzec.
Under these rocks lie the ashes of the dead.
Before the memorial was created,this was a barren field of trees where the Germans levelled the camp and planted trees on top.
The list goes on...
The memorial is simple yet so impacting to the eye.
We walk along towards that concrete slab in the middle.
That slab is part of a massive engraved tribute.
Zamosc,our next destination..
Nearly at the steps now.
Those trees to the right are purposely left here as testement to prove the Germans really did plant them after clearing the camp.

klempner69

Belzeç concentration camp Poland 2015.