Treblinka Memorial Museum

The Treblinka Memorial Museum lies at Wólka Okrąglik near Kosów Lacki, in Sokołów County in the Masovian region of Poland, on the site of the former German Treblinka II extermination camp. The camp operated in 1942 and 1943, and around 800,000 people, most of them Jews from Warsaw and elsewhere, were murdered there. A separate labour camp, Treblinka I, operated nearby. Almost nothing of the original camp remains, because the Germans destroyed it in 1943. The memorial was created in the 1960s and consists of a field of about 17,000 symbolic stones, set upright in the ground to represent the communities that were destroyed, with a large monument at the centre. Some stones carry the names of towns and a single one commemorates Janusz Korczak. A museum near the entrance presents the history of the camp, the uprising of August 1943, and the testimony of survivors. Visitors walk the paths through the memorial, which is surrounded by forest, and a visit takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The atmosphere is quiet and sombre, and respectful behaviour is expected, with low voices and appropriate dress. Admission is free, and the site is open daily, with longer hours in summer. Mornings are calmer, and large groups arrive around midday, particularly in spring and autumn. Photography is allowed, but visitors should avoid taking images that could be disrespectful, such as posing. There are few shops nearby, so water should be brought. The site is about 1 hour 45 minutes from Warsaw by car, or by train to Małkinia from Warszawa Wschodnia in about 1 hour 20 minutes followed by a taxi of roughly 8 kilometres. Taxis in Małkinia are limited, so pre-booking a driver is wise.