Highlights
- 3-hour walking tour of Kazimierz in Krakow
- Learn the history of the Jewish in Krakow and the events of World War II in the city
- See synagogues like Old Synagogue, which survived the war, plus Christian sights like Skalka
- Hear about Steven Spielberg’s filming of Schindler’s List in Kazimierz
- See Oskar Schindler’s enamelware factory, which saved many Jewish lives during WWII
Useful Information
Old Synagogue in Kazimierz in Krakow
As you walk along the lively streets filled with cafes and restaurants, hear from your guide about the district’s long history, which was home to Krakow’s mixed Jewish-Polish population from the 14th century until World War II, when most of Krakow’s Jews were killed during the Holocaust. Learn about the mass deportation of Kazimierz residents to the Nazi concentration camps and how the district fell to ruin once all traces of Jewish life disappeared.
Kazimierz is full of life once again, but only the architecture tells you that this was once Jewish area, and you’ll see some of the synagogues that surprisingly survived the war, including Old Synagogue and High Synagogue. When you enter the western part of the district, you’ll notice a change – this part of Kazimierz was traditionally Catholic. Walk by Christian sites like Catholic churches and Skalka (the Church on the Rock).
Finally, arrive at Oskar Schindler’s enamelware factory, which saved many Jews from death when Schindler employed them to work there – a story made famous by Steven Spielberg’s movie Schindler’s List. The factory today is a museum dedicated to the history and tragedies of Krakow’s Nazi occupation.
Your tour ends here and does not include a visit inside the museum, but you may enter it at your own expense after the tour, if you wish.
Reviewed by Marcie, April 2013
Our guide Gregory was very knowledgeable and did a great job of showing a 30-people-group around snowed Krakow. We walked for 3 hours while snow fell incessantly and got the tram back! The group was big because it was Easter Sunday and many other attractions were closed. Since this tour was one of the few running, many people decided to join, I guess. We were taken to see the place were scenes of the Schindler's List were shot and the birth place of Helena Rubinstein. We could not visit Oscar Schindler's factory because it was closed on Easter Sunday 31/03/13, but will definitely go back sometime in the summer to learn more about the fascinating story behind it. Great tour.
Reviewed by Anthony C, USA, February 2013
The tour was a lot shorter than advertised and didn't really show as much as it sounded like it would, but it was a good introductory tour of Krakow's Jewish past.
