Chronicle of works

Preservation of brick prisoner barracks B-138 and B-139

Since August 2019, the Museum team has been performing the preservation of two brick barracks, which was originally scheduled for completion in December 2023. Extensive construction and conservation work was completed on schedule. During this work, the Museum identified this location as an adequate venue for the commemoration event marking the anniversary of the liberation of the camp on 27 January 2024. In order to accommodate this event, the completion of the project was brought forward to March 2024.

Renovation of brick barracks B-115 and B-122

A tender process was conducted to select a contractor for one of two pairs of brick barracks scheduled for conservation between 2023 and 2026. The tender, announced at the end of 2023, was completed in the first half of 2024 and resulted in the selection of an external contractor for the project.

Renovation of brick barracks B-137 and B-144

The prisoner barrack B-137 and sanitary barrack B-144 are being restored under the supervision of the in-house monument preservation team. Work to document the state of preservation and dismantle the beds began in November 2023.

Renovation of kitchen barrack B-91 and latrine B-141

Preservation work on the barracks began in spring 2021 and was completed in August 2023. An external contractor carried out the project, which included extensive construction work (e.g. foundation repairs, roof renovation), the conservation of original building elements and archaeological investigations. Particularly important was the development of a method for reinforcing the roof truss of the kitchen barrack, where steel elements have been applied. This method minimises the impact on the historic building fabric.

Preservation of washroom barrack B-112

The project began in September 2022 with the construction of a temporary tent hall that allows Museum conservators to work all-year regardless of weather conditions. During 2023, the construction work focused on repairing the foundations and roof trusses and straightening the exterior walls. As part of the conservation measures, the entire building was fumigated, cleaned and the historic materials (including the layers of paint) were stabilised. Archaeological investigations and comprehensive documentation of all work carried out were also undertaken.

Preservation of the wooden sanitary barrack B-170

One of the challenges of the project was to preserve the building’s wooden elements, which had been damaged over the years by various impregnating agents. A chemical cleaning process, including the removal of ammonium salts, was carried out in external workshops under controlled conditions. The project was completed in March 2024.

Further maintenance and preservation of section BI (Birkenau)

As in previous years, the project followed a phased approach that included planning and preparation of documentation, ongoing maintenance, renovation work, expert consultation and research. A significant step in the process was the implementation of the Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodology - a 3D modelling tool, as well as the Geographic Information System (GIS) technology - a system for managing spatial data. Both were used for documenting the facilities in the former Auschwitz II-Birkenau area. This measure has significantly improved the processes of planning, maintenance, renovation, preventive measures and document archiving. In addition, the GIS system facilitates the creation, exchange and management of maps, applications and geodata. In particular, BIM models were created for 45 brick barracks in the BI section, as well as for tent halls, containers and shelters. Work is currently underway to implement a system that integrates the collected BIM and GIS data.

Conservation and preservation of the ruins of gas chambers and crematoria – Phase III

Conservation work on selected elements of the ruins of the crematorium and gas chamber III was completed in December 2023. Construction work has followed and was carried out under the supervision of experts. Expert data concerning the conditions of the undressing room was prepared and the building walls were scanned to collect data for future safety measures and static analyses. In addition, selected elements of the ceiling slabs in the area of the former furnace hall and gas chamber were supported. Finally, preventive cleaning and disinfection measures were carried out.

Conservation of the original building wall layers

In 2023, conservation work focused on documenting and preserving selected layers of paint, for example original wall paintings in many blocks of Auschwitz I. This included the consolidation of paint layers in rooms on the first floor of Block A-10 and of slogans in Block A-14. In addition, a complete multispectral recording was carried out in five cells in the basement of Block A-11.

Conservation of museum and archive objects

At the start of the project, the conservation of approximately 7,640 museum objects, including shoes, suitcases, enamelware, textiles, Zyklon B cans, and 3,000 archaeological finds was planned. In 2023, significant progress was made in the conservation of 90 suitcases, 1,200 shoes, 1,600 enamel vessels, 30 textiles, and 20 Zyklon B cans. In addition, 3,000 archaeological objects were conserved. All objects are carefully examined using state-of-the-art material analysis and dating techniques. They are then precisely documented, including detailed descriptions and photographs. Each object is carefully packaged with archival materials for safe storage and handling. A comprehensive inventory system records all conserved objects. In addition to the conservation work, 9,200 storage letters and plans from the central construction management team were digitised as part of the project. This digital archiving ensures the long-term preservation and accessibility to these important historical documents.

Museum and archive objects – Material and technical examination of metal objects from the former camp’s so-called Canada section

As part of the initiative, a dedicated Memorial team carefully conserved the collection of 6,000 pieces of cutlery: spoons, teaspoons, knives, forks, openers, pocket knives and scissors were carefully categorised, and then cleaned, disinfected and assigned unique reference numbers. To prevent corrosion, each piece of cutlery was wrapped in anti-corrosion film. In addition, photographic documentation and detailed descriptions were created for later use.

Conservation of children's shoes

A moving project that began in April 2022 with the aim to preserve approximately 8,000 children's shoes – a poignant memorial to the camp's youngest victims. Memorial conservators were carefully documenting and treating each individual item using state-of-the-art techniques. By using automatic product photography, accurate digital records were produced, while microbiological and material testing with appropriate chemicals helped determine the best conservation method for each object. By the end of 2024 the complete shoe collection was preserved.

Groundwater regulation

Groundwater regulation at the former Auschwitz II-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp began in 2013 to minimise the impact of rainwater and groundwater on the preservation of the facilities. This ongoing project involves the renovation and maintenance of ditches and culverts that ensure efficient drainage of the entire site towards the Pławianka stream and ultimately the Vistula river. Phase IV of the project, which began in August 2022, focuses on the planning, renovation and conservation of ditches and culverts in the BII-section of the Auschwitz II-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp.

Inventory and preservation of green spaces in the former Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp

Phase II of the project, completed in the first quarter of 2023, focused on establishing a comprehensive database of historical forest stands. To this end, a large section of the forest on the grounds of the former Auschwitz II-Birkenau was geodetically marked and numbered. Selected historical trees were then treated using agricultural techniques. Building on this, the next phase involved dendrological examinations of the treated trees. These examinations included targeted tests and inspections to assess the condition of the trees. In addition, a 3D documentation of the historic birch avenue on the Auschwitz I site and the birch trees near the "ARBEIT MACHT FREI" gate was created. The project also included maintenance work on the historical grounds of Birkenau.

Redesign of Potato Storage Facility I

The project was aiming at converting the historical potato warehouse near Auschwitz II-Birkenau into a workshop for restoration work and a storage facility for materials and equipment. Although the design met the technical requirements, the estimated construction costs significantly exceeded the original budget forecasts. Due to the budget overrun, construction work was suspended.

Restoration of window frames in prisoner block A-11

The project was carried out between February 2022 and January 2023, and focused on the restoration of the façade frames in the courtyard of the building. This meticulous work helped to preserve the historical substance of this place of mourning.

Security project for the grounds and facilities of section BI of the former Auschwitz II-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp

The project, completed in 2023, implemented the electronic security systems in prisoner barracks B-123 and B-124, a local monitoring centre, and the surrounding infrastructure of section BI of Auschwitz II-Birkenau.

Scholarship programme for conservators from Ukraine

The scholarship programme was established in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It continues to support refugee conservators with university degrees and professional experience in the field of preservation. The programme, carried out in the Memorial Preservation Laboratory and its Collections’ Department, provides scholarship holders with the necessary skills for the preservation and maintenance of memorial sites. It secures comprehensive support for its beneficiaries, covering accommodation, health care, and social security, alongside professional training.