Entkleidungsbaracken

Entkleidungsbaracken

The Entkleidungsbaracken (Disrobing Barracks) at Auschwitz-Birkenau were part of the brutal process of dehumanization that prisoners endured upon arrival at the camp. Upon disembarking from the trains, new arrivals were often directed to these barracks, where they were forced to strip naked before being subjected to a so-called “disinfection” process. In these barracks, prisoners were stripped of their clothing, which was taken for reuse by the Nazis. This ritual was just one step in the systematic effort to break the spirit and identity of the victims, turning them into mere numbers.

The disrobing barracks were located near the train tracks at Auschwitz II-Birkenau, where the majority of the camp’s extermination operations took place. After disrobing, the prisoners were sent to the showers, which were often a prelude to their murder in the gas chambers. The barracks serve as a stark reminder of the initial stages of the victims’ experiences, where the trauma began immediately upon arrival. The site offers visitors a sobering glimpse into the horrors of the Holocaust and the systematic violence used to strip away dignity and humanity.

Today, the Entkleidungsbaracken are preserved as part of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. The site includes educational exhibits that explain the function of the barracks and the atrocities that took place there. Visitors can learn about the experiences of the victims and reflect on the unimaginable suffering.