This is such an important post. I remember being so confused by the beauty of the place. I visited on an autumn afternoon and the colours were stunning. It seemed horribly wrong to see beauty there. Many people on the group reported the same thing. The tour of course reminded us of the horror of what happened there. Seeing Auschwitz changed something in me permanently.

I went to Budapest afterwards and got into a lift with the place very much still on my mind and saw a sign that said 'Everything happens for a reason' with a huge smiley face. I laughed out loud. What possible reason could that cliche offer for Auschwitz? It is beyond reason.

Your images do it a respectful justice.