Belzec, Poland: Belzec, which was constructed in 1941, was a small concentration and extermination camp used by the Nazis to kill European Jews. Much of the camp activity was centered on finding the most effective way to commit mass murder; SS and camp guards tested several methods of extermination. Most of the bodies were then soaked in oil and burned outside, releasing smoke for days. Local residents reportedly had to scrape body fat from their windows in order to see out. It is estimated at over 500,000 people died at Belzec. By 1943 the camp was dismantled and destroyed in an attempt to hide evidence of the killings. After the war, the grounds fell into disarray, and the site was looted by local residents, who sought to steal valuables from the mass graves. This caused an international outcry, with many expressing anger at the failure to properly preserve the camp. In 2004, a large monument and museum complex were built and Belzec has recently been attracting more visitors.
