Understanding how Auschwitz evolved over time helps explain why today’s Memorial consists of both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II–Birkenau, and why each site tells a different part of the same history. This timeline follows the development of Auschwitz year by year, placing key historical events into their wider wartime context.
Discover the key differences between Auschwitz I and Birkenau. Learn about their history, purpose, what you'll see during your visit, and why both sites are essential to understanding Auschwitz.
Understanding the history of Auschwitz before visiting helps place what you will see into its proper historical context. This beginner’s guide explains how Auschwitz was established, how it evolved into the largest Nazi German concentration and extermination camp, who its victims were, and why it remains one of the world’s most significant memorial sites.