Despite the passage of time, the largely complete complex of buildings at Auschwitz I and the remains of Auschwitz II – Birkenau, through their authenticity, make a powerful impression on each new generation. The grounds and the remains make it possible to conceive of the entire Auschwitz system of camps and sub-camps, and the totality of the system of camps and death camps in the Third Reich.

The extant original objects, structures and grounds are a unique landscape, illustrating the nearly unimaginable scale of the Auschwitz concentration and death camp. The entire world has and obligation to protect and conserve this place, and maintain its authenticity.

For several years, the Memorial has been under the care of a staff of highly qualified conservators with a wide range of specialties. There are modern workshops and laboratories that have been created thanks to the generosity of the Ronald Lauder Foundation. Surveys have assessed the condition of the remains of the camp, and identified the main threats and priorities. The greatest need is the preservation of the grounds and buildings at the Auschwitz II-Birkenau site, which has been left in its original state. Work on the brick barracks used to house prisoners at sector BI will begin first.

The time has come to introduce a comprehensive, long-term schedule of the most important conservation work on these vast grounds. The conservation master plan will supersede point-by-point conservation. The master plan can only succeed if it is implemented in a coordinated, systematic way. After the passage of 60 years, ensuring the continuity of the preservation work is the only way to preserve this most tragic legacy of the 20th century for future generations.
Download the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation folder "The Preservation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Our Responsibility for Future Generations"