Between 1940-45, over 4 million people died at the Auschwitz and Birkenhau death camps as art of Hitler’s ‘final solution’ to rid Europe of the Jews and other ethnic minorities.
A chilling reminder of man’s inhumanity to man it has now been turned into a memorial museum.
We visited Auschwitz on a cold, grey, February day. The weather was as sombre as the mood of the group and the photographs taken reflect this sense of sadness and loss.
 
Pigeons in Krakow by Jade, originally uploaded by Teign Photography.
There is a legend in Krakow about a witch turning the Kings soldiers into pigeons. The pigeons get close to people in the hope that one of them is the witch and that she will release them from her spell.
Polar Bears in Prague by Josh, originally uploaded by Teign Photography.
When we were in Prague some of us went to the Zoo where there were quite an unusual collection of animals such as these Polar Bears who looked as if they were having a conversation.
Tower on Petrin Hill, Prague by Leo, originally uploaded by Teign Photography.
On our last day in Prague I visited the 60m high Observation Tower on Petrin Hill. The view was amazing and well worth the walk.
Students by the John Lennon Wall, Prague by Leo, originally uploaded by Teign Photography.
Hidden among the embassies and palaces of the Mala Strana area of Prague this stretch of wall became a thorn in the side of the Communist authorities following John Lennon’s death in 1980 hen it was painted with pacifist graffitti.
Berlin Buildings by Guy, originally uploaded by Teign Photography.
I decided to take this view of a Berlin square from a low angle to emphasise the emptiness of the place on this cold winter’s day.
Railway at Birkenhau by Guy, originally uploaded by Teign Photography.
During our stay in Poland we visited Auschwitz and Birkenhau. It was a cold winters day and the rose, which had been placed there by another visitor, stood out against the desolate landscape.
Graffitt by Guy, originally uploaded by Teign Photography.
This photograph was taken of the graffitti on the John Lennon Wall in Prague. I took the picture from the inside of a telephone box which had graffitti on the glass as I liked the layering effect it created over the graffitti on the wall.
caravan on wasteland edited (juan), originally uploaded by Teign Photography.
When walking through the Mitte area of Berlin we came across an area of wasteland which had been taken over by an artistic community. In addition to the caravans and temporaary structures there were also lots of slogans, sculptures and other artifacts
Derelict building in Berlin by Danielle, originally uploaded by Teign Photography.
I chose to take this photo as this once grand building: which has fallen into disrepair, reflects the troubled history of Berlin.
