Discover Auschwitz: Murals, History and Puzzles
Accommodation in Auschwitz
Auschwitz (Oświęcim) brings together artistic discoveries and traces of a long urban history. Monumental murals, a free puzzle game through the Old Town and along the Soła Boulevards, as well as museums and historic sites, give your trip a range of possible focuses. For families, the quest, which can be played at any time, and the children’s workshops at the Jarmark Kasztelański are particularly appealing ideas; those interested in the city’s history can explore the exhibition and its surviving architectural and urban traces.
Murals and a playful city walk
A unique collection of monumental murals can be found on buildings in different parts of the city. The themes of most of the works promote peace, overcome cultural barriers and stereotypes, and convey tolerance. In this way, art becomes a reason in its own right to discover Auschwitz. The diverse murals also offer more than a single theme: their subjects range from peaceful coexistence to overcoming prejudice.
The free quest offers another way to explore the city. You can play this game at any time: follow clues and solve puzzles. The route takes you along the paths of the Soła Boulevards and through the Old Town. The quest thus connects two distinct areas in a playful format. If you would rather search for clues together than make an exhibition the main focus, you can plan this activity as a highlight of your stay.
City history in the square, castle and chapel
The market square preserves the remains of the 16th-century town hall and a pre-war fountain. Both are tangible historical details that shape the square. The historic urban layout dating from the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries is also linked to the history of Oświęcim and is listed in the register of monuments.
On the Soła, the Piast Castle houses the Muzeum Zamek w Oświęcimiu. The combination of castle and museum provides a distinct point of interest alongside the traces found in the market square. The Chapel of St. Hyacinth, meanwhile, is a former Dominican chapter house from the first half of the 14th century. Those interested in the city’s historical development can explore several different subjects: a surviving urban layout, architectural remains in the market square, a castle with a museum, and a former chapter house.
Jewish Museum and annual fair
The Jewish Museum on Plac Ks. Skarbka gives visitors access to the Chewra Lomdei Misznajot Synagogue. The permanent exhibition “W przestrzeniach historii. Dzieje miasta Oświęcimia” is also on display in Oświęcim. The two offerings have different focuses: the museum provides access to the synagogue mentioned above, while the exhibition is devoted to the city’s history.
A recurring event in the annual calendar is the Jarmark Kasztelański, held every year in May. The program includes historical demonstrations, hands-on activities and workshops for children. The workshops offer families a specific option to consider if they would like to include activities for children in their trip. Since the fair takes place in May, this information is particularly useful when planning a stay that month.
When choosing an apartment, you can first consider which side of Oświęcim you want to shape your stay: art in the cityscape, the puzzle game, city history, or the combination of the museum and synagogue. For a family trip, the quest and children’s workshops offer different activities to enjoy together; however, they do not replace the question of which topics are of particular interest to your family.
Discover other places
You can also explore these places: Trzebinia, Libiąż, Zagórze, Chrzanów, Lgota, Babice, Alwernia and Młoszowa.
Back to the main travel overview: Chrzanów.
