Is there a guided tour Krakow option for the Ghetto?

While many companies offer a guided tour Krakow, this self-guided walk allows you to explore the same historic sites independently. You can spend more time at the Ghetto Wall or the Factory without following a group schedule.

What is the best walking tour in Podgórze for history?

The route focusing on the Ghetto and Schindler's Factory is widely considered the best for history. It covers the essential WWII landmarks including the Empty Chairs Memorial and the Eagle Pharmacy.

Is the Liban Quarry safe to visit?

It is generally safe but requires caution. The terrain is rocky and uneven, so wear sturdy shoes and avoid visiting after dark as the area is not illuminated.

Can I see the Ghetto Wall for free?

Yes, the fragments of the Ghetto Wall on Lwowska Street and Limanowskiego Street are located in public spaces and can be viewed at any time for free.

Do I need tickets for Schindler's Factory?

You do not need a ticket to see the exterior of the factory or the gate. However, if you wish to enter the museum inside, you must purchase a ticket, ideally in advance as they often sell out.

Is this route suitable for children?

The walk involves heavy themes related to the Holocaust, which may be difficult for younger children. However, the open spaces like the squares and the quarry are physically manageable for older kids.

Where is the best place to start the Podgórze walk?

The best starting point is Plac Bohaterów Getta. It is easily accessible by tram from the Krakow Old Town and serves as the historical entrance to the wartime ghetto.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

About This Tour

Step across the Vistula River and enter Podgórze, a district where the echoes of World War II are still palpable. While many travelers flock to the historic Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz, this self-guided walk takes you deeper into the somber history of the Krakow Ghetto. This neighborhood stroll is more than just a sightseeing route; it is an invitation to reflect on the darkest chapters of the 20th century while discovering the resilience of the human spirit. Starting at the haunting Empty Chairs Memorial, your journey explores the site of the wartime ghetto established by the Nazi regime in 1941. You will encounter the remains of the curved ghetto walls, designed with a cruel irony to resemble Jewish tombstones, and visit the pharmacy that served as a secret lifeline for those trapped within the district. The walking route leads you to the gates of Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory, where the story of the famous industrialist and the people he saved comes to life against the backdrop of industrial heritage. As you move beyond the urban center, the scenery shifts toward the striking neo-Gothic spires of St. Joseph's Church before concluding at the Liban Quarry. This final stop offers a raw, off-the-beaten-path experience where nature has reclaimed the site of a former labor camp and a Hollywood film set. This walking tour Krakow experience allows you to explore at your own pace, providing the space needed to process the weight of the history found in these streets. Whether you are a history enthusiast or a first-time visitor, this independent exploration of Podgórze offers a profound perspective on Krakow’s wartime identity.

Highlights

The 33 bronze chairs of the Empty Chairs Memorial at Plac Bohaterów Getta

The Eagle Pharmacy, a hub of resistance run by Tadeusz Pankiewicz

Original fragments of the Ghetto Wall on Lwowska Street

The exterior of Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory

The stunning neo-Gothic architecture of St. Joseph's Church

The haunting industrial landscape of the Liban Quarry

Tour Stops (6)

Plac Bohaterów Getta

Begin your self-guided walk at the Ghetto Heroes Square, the former center of the Krakow Ghetto. The 33 oversized bronze chairs you see here are a powerful memorial to the thousands of Jewish citizens who were forced into this district. During the ghetto's liquidation, the square was littered with furniture and personal belongings as people were deported to death camps. Each chair represents the emptiness left behind. This was the 'Umschlagplatz,' the assembly point for deportations, making it one of the most tragic locations in the city's history. Take a moment to look at the orientation of the chairs; they face outward, symbolizing the many directions from which residents were brought and the few directions in which they were taken.

Apteka pod Orłem (Eagle Pharmacy)

Located on the corner of the square is the Eagle Pharmacy. During the war, this was the only pharmacy within the ghetto walls, and its owner, Tadeusz Pankiewicz, was the only non-Jewish resident allowed to stay. Pankiewicz and his staff risked their lives to provide medicine, food, and forged documents to the ghetto's inhabitants. The pharmacy became a secret meeting point for intellectuals and a sanctuary for those seeking news from the outside world. Today, it serves as a museum dedicated to the life of the ghetto. Even from the outside, the building stands as a testament to the quiet heroism of ordinary people during extraordinary times.

Remains of the Ghetto Wall

As you walk toward Lwowska Street, you will find a preserved fragment of the original Ghetto Wall. Notice the rounded tops of the stones; the Nazis intentionally designed the wall to look like Jewish tombstones, a psychological tactic intended to remind the residents of their fate. At its height, the wall enclosed roughly 15,000 people in an area previously occupied by only 3,000. These few remaining meters are a stark physical reminder of the isolation and imprisonment of the Jewish community. Touching the cold stone here connects you directly to the physical reality of 1941-1943.

Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory

Arrive at the gates of the Emalia factory, made world-famous by Thomas Keneally’s book and Steven Spielberg’s film. While the building now houses a world-class museum about Krakow under Nazi occupation, the site itself is where Oskar Schindler employed over 1,000 Jewish workers, saving them from deportation to the Płaszów concentration camp. The administrative building's facade remains largely as it was. Look for the windows displaying photos of the 'Schindlerjuden' (Schindler's Jews). This site represents a rare glimmer of hope and humanity amidst the industrial scale of the Holocaust.

St. Joseph's Church

Moving toward the heart of old Podgórze, you will encounter the monumental St. Joseph's Church. Built in the early 20th century in the Vistula Gothic style, its soaring tower is the neighborhood's most recognizable landmark. While the church predates the ghetto, it stood as a silent witness to the atrocities committed in the square below. Its intricate brickwork and dramatic spires provide a sharp architectural contrast to the industrial and somber sites you have visited so far. The square in front of the church, Rynek Podgórski, was the original center of Podgórze before it was incorporated into Krakow.

Kamieniołom Libana (Liban Quarry)

Your walking route concludes at the Liban Quarry, a site of both natural beauty and historical horror. During the war, it served as a penal labor camp where prisoners worked in brutal conditions. Decades later, Steven Spielberg used this quarry to recreate the Płaszów camp for the film 'Schindler’s List.' Today, you can still see the remnants of the film set, including rusted guard towers and a path made of replica tombstones, now overgrown with greenery. It is a haunting, atmospheric place where the lines between history and cinema blur, offering a quiet space for final reflection at the end of your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

A complete walk typically takes between 2 to 3 hours. This allows for about 150 minutes of exploration, including time to stop at the memorials and navigate the terrain at the Liban Quarry.