Belzec Memorial Museum

The Bełżec Memorial Museum is an important center commemorating the victims of the Holocaust, located on the site of the former German extermination camp where approximately 450,000 Jews were murdered between 1942 and 1943. The Bełżec camp was the first of the three extermination centers established as part of Operation Reinhardt, and its operation was marked by brutality and the use of modern extermination methods that were later employed in other camps. After the end of World War II, the camp site remained uncommemorated for many years, and the Polish authorities did not take action to protect the location. In 2004, the Bełżec Memorial Museum was established as a branch of the State Museum at Majdanek, following an agreement between the Polish government and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The new memorial, unveiled in 2004, was designed by architects Andrzej Sołyga, Zdzisław Pidek, and Marcin Roszczyk, and its architectural form places great emphasis on respect for the victims and Jewish tradition. The central point is a symbolic grave, covered with blast furnace slag and wooden elements, which serve as living monuments and witnesses to the tragedy. The museum features a multimedia exhibition showcasing the history of the camp and its victims, utilizing various materials to make the content accessible to visitors. Educational activities, aimed at young people and adults, include workshops and seminars, and the memorial organizes annual ceremonies to honor the victims, attracting an increasing number of visitors, which has grown significantly in recent years. The museum has become not only an important point on the map of memorial sites in Poland but also a significant cultural and educational center that combines art and history. Interestingly, the museum has gained recognition both in Poland and abroad for its architectural and commemorative achievements and is regarded as one of the most important Holocaust memorial sites in the world. In 2015, the museum also took over the building of the former camp commandant's office, further enriching its offerings.