Majdanek was a German Nazi concentration death camp, located on the outskirts of Lublin in Poland. Although initially the camp was set up for forced labor, and later used to kill people on a large scale during the operation Reinhard extermination of all Jews in Poland. In the camp killed more than 79,000 people (59000 Jews) during the 34 months of work.

Majdanek was established October 1, 1941 and worked until July 22, 1944, when in Lublin suddenly invaded by the Red Army. Currently, the camp is considered one of the best preserved of such institutions. Unlike other similar camps in Poland, Majdanek was not located in remote rural areas far from population centers, it was built not far from Lublin.

A decree on the establishment of the camp was obtained in July 1941, it stated the need for construction of labour camps on 50 thousand prisoners. However, after a small amount of time was given orders about expanding the camp to 125 thousand prisoners, later to 250 thousand. From the camp in 270 hectares, currently the Museum is used okolo hectares. The whole camp was divided into five sections, one of which women were placed. On the vast territory there were almost 230 workshops. In October 1942 he came to the camp guards were women trained in ravensbrück.

In November 1943 in Majdanek was held terrible operation "harvest Festival", when one day in the camp were killed 18400 Jews.

In late July 1944, when Soviet troops quickly came to Lublin, the Germans hastily evacuated the camp. However, I do not have time to destroy Majdanek, which made it one of the best preserved camps.

Currently on the territory of the former camp is Museum. In 1969 by sculptor Victor Tolkien at the entrance to the Museum was a Monument of struggle and martyrdom. On the site of the former crematorium was built the mausoleum containing the ashes of the victims of Majdanek.