Kolbe volunteered on July 29, 1941 to take the place of Franciszek Gajowniczek, one of ten men chosen to starve after an escape; after about two weeks he was killed by a phenol injection. The Memorial's own history pages record this, and it has hosted Mass at the Death Block on anniversaries, with candles placed in the cell. A standard tour passes through Block 11, the Wall of Death in the courtyard beside it, and then moves to Birkenau, 3 km away, by shuttle. Guides can be asked to pause at the cell for quiet prayer.
All bookings are at visit.auschwitz.org, and entry cards cannot be obtained at the gate; the Memorial advises booking two months ahead. Opening is 7:30 a.m. year round, closing between 2:00 p.m. in December and 7:00 p.m. in June to August. Unguided entry is allowed only late in the day (from 5:00 p.m. April to September, earlier in winter), still with a free card. Bags must be no larger than 35 by 25 by 15 cm.
From Kraków, buses of the Lajkonik company run to the Museum car park, trains run to Oświęcim station about 1.5 km (1 mile) from the entrance, and the drive is about 50 to 65 km (35 to 40 miles). Plan a full day: the earlier page on including Auschwitz in a Catholic pilgrimage suggests how groups frame the visit and close it with prayer. The Franciscan center at Harmęże outside Oświęcim is the usual stop for a Mass afterward; confirm locally.