Krakow offers a wealth of Jewish heritage sites, spanning medieval synagogues, Holocaust memorials, and cultural centres that tell the story of the city's once-thriving Jewish community. Taking a private walking tour with a local expert is a wonderful way to uncover the key places associated with the community, from ancient places of worship to the emblematic locations associated with Oskar Schindler’s valiant efforts to save his Jewish workers from the Nazis. Along the way, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how the Jewish people of Krakow have shaped the city's past and present.
On this private walking tour, you will:
- Delve into the Jewish history of Krakow with a passionate local expert guide;
- Enjoy the personalized attention of your private guide, well-versed in Krakow's Jewish Heritage;
- Visit the vibrant Kazimierz Jewish District and learn about its historical significance;
- Uncover several of the filming sites used in Spielberg’s Schindler's List, including the iconic passageway;
- Explore Szeroka Street, the cultural heart of the Jewish quarter;
- Step inside the Old Synagogue, one of the oldest surviving synagogues in Europe, built in the 15th century;
- Pass by the 16th-century Remuh Synagogue, one of the smallest and most charming synagogues in the city;
- Cross the river to discover the remains of the Old Jewish Ghetto built during the German occupation;
- See the Eagle Pharmacy, once a clandestine spot for Jews to obtain medicine, food, and forged documents;
- Learn the story of Oskar Schindler, and his work to save the lives of the Jewish people who worked at his enamel factory;
- End your tour with a self-guided visit to Schindler’s Enamel Factory Museum and learn the true story behind the ‘Schindler’s List’.
Experience the profound and moving Jewish heritage of Kraków on this private walking tour, which takes you through the city’s rich Jewish past, its tragic history during World War II, and the inspiring stories of resilience and survival. Led by a knowledgeable local guide passionate about Jewish history, this immersive tour will introduce you to the most significant sites in Kazimierz, the former Jewish ghetto, and Oskar Schindler’s Factory Museum.
Your journey begins in Kazimierz, the historic Jewish Quarter that once flourished as a hub of Jewish life, learning, and culture. Strolling through this atmospheric district, you’ll discover the vibrant Szeroka Street, the heart of Jewish Kazimierz, where you’ll find centuries-old synagogues alongside bustling cafés and cultural landmarks. You’ll step inside the Old Synagogue, a rare surviving example of Jewish Gothic architecture and one of the oldest synagogues in Europe. Next, you’ll pass by the Remuh Synagogue, a modest yet deeply significant 16th-century synagogue, where your guide will share stories of the influential Rabbi Moses Isserles (Remuh), whose wisdom shaped Jewish scholarship.
Throughout your time in Kazimierz, you’ll pass by several filming locations from Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning film Schindler’s List, including the famous Schindler’s Passage, a narrow courtyard and passageway used in a memorable scene where Jewish families hurriedly packed their belongings, showing the fear and chaos of deportations. Then, you will cross the Vistula River into Podgórze, the site of the former Jewish Ghetto created by the Nazis during World War II. Your guide will show you some of the most important memorials, including Ghetto Heroes Square, where thousands of Jews were deported to concentration camps, and the Eagle Pharmacy, a secret hub of aid and resistance for ghetto residents, which has now become a museum.
As you explore this poignant corner of the city, your guide will share stories of Oskar Schindler, the German businessman who risked everything to save over 1,200 Jewish lives by employing them in his enamel factory. You’ll make your way to the site of this factory, now the Schindler’s Factory Museum, where your tour will come to a close. Here, your guide will bid you goodbye, leaving you to embark on an independent visit, gaining a deeper understanding of Nazi-occupied Kraków, Schindler’s heroic efforts, and the resilience of the Jewish community.
This is a profoundly moving and educational experience, getting a comprehensive look at the lives and legacy of Kraków’s Jewish residents from the 13th Century to the present day. Whether you have a personal connection to Jewish history or simply wish to understand the city's past in greater depth, this tour provides an insightful exploration of Kraków’s Jewish heritage.