About this experience
Explore the Jewish Ghetto and Podgórze district on a walking tour. Learn about the Jewish community's resilience and the daily struggles they faced during World War II.
Highlights
- Learn about the Jewish community's resilience and the daily struggles they faced
- See the entrance to the sewer system, a critical escape route for many
- Reflect on the past at the haunting monument of 68 chairs in Heroes' Square
- Visit key historical sites, including remnants of the ghetto wall
- Step back in time as you explore the Jewish Ghetto and Podgórze district
How to use
- Show Mobile Ticket
- At Redemption Counter
What to expect
Step into the history of Krakow’s Jewish Ghetto and Podgórze district, where the echoes of WWII still resonate. This tour takes you through the tragic events that unfolded here, a place once home to thousands of displaced Jews during the Holocaust. Walk through the district and visit key historical sites, including remnants of the ghetto wall, locations tied to daily Jewish life, and important war-related landmarks.
Start at Schindler’s Factory, now a museum showcasing the daily struggles and survival of Krakow’s Jewish population during the Nazi occupation. The exhibits offer a powerful account of the suffering, resilience, and resistance faced by Jews living here during WWII. From here, journey through the Ghetto’s remnants with stops at preserved sections of the ghetto wall along Lwowska and Limanowskiego Streets, where the harsh conditions are evident.
The ghetto’s tragic history comes alive as you visit sites such as the former ghetto orphanage on Lwowska Street, where children struggled to survive, and the corner of Józefińska and Limanowskiego Streets, once home to the Jewish Order Police and the ghetto prison. You’ll also see the entrance to the sewer system at the corner of Józefińska and Krakusa Streets—an escape route used by many to flee the horrors of the ghetto.
As the tour continues, discover the Jewish community’s resilience through landmarks like the Jewish Social Self-Help Organisation on Józefińska Street and the Zucker Synagogue on Węgierska Street. These buildings offer a glimpse into the lives of the Jewish community before the devastating deportations began.
A poignant highlight of the tour is Heroes' Square in the Ghetto, where the 68-chair monument stands as a tribute to those lost during the war. The square was the site of deportations and the final liquidation of the ghetto, making it a place of reflection. You’ll also visit the Judenrat (Jewish Council) building, Julius Madritsch’s Confectionery Factory, and the former family lodgings of filmmaker Roman Polanski—connections to the war that add a personal, emotional layer to the story.
The River Vistula Embankment, home to the Father Bernatek Footbridge and Piłsudski Bridge, reminds us of the physical and emotional distance between the ghetto and the rest of the city. The tour also highlights the rare traces of war, such as the shelled building on Piwna Street, and the Ghetto Memorial at Bohaterów Getta Square, a powerful symbol of suffering and survival.
This tour is not just an exploration of Krakow’s wartime history, but a reminder of the Jewish community’s strength and resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship. A visit to the former Jewish Ghetto offers a deeply moving and educational experience—an opportunity to remember the past, understand the struggles of those who lived through it, and reflect on the importance of remembrance and resilience.
Things to note
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Comfortable shoes
Terms & conditions
Wear comfortable walking shoes as there is a moderate amount of walking involved.
Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately to ensure your comfort.
Photography is allowed, but be respectful of the sites and their historical significance.