About this experience
If you do not have several days to explore Krakow, I suggest combining two walks - explore the Old Town and delve into the history of the Jewish ghetto. In the first part of the tour, you will walk through the epochs of Krakow on the Royal Route, examine the details of the Mariacki Church, hear unusual stories of the vibrant Market Square and the ancient Wawel Castle. Following that, you will discover the complex pages of history: the Oscar Schindler's Factory Museum and the Podgórze district will help you understand the immense human tragedy and great humanity.
What to expect
Main places and bright stories of the Old Town
On a general walk through Old Krakow, you will trace the path of the beautiful city on the Vistula River, which for five centuries was the capital of Poland. I will not only tell you about its history, but also immerse you in legends and curious stories about the residents of ancient houses. The key sights will be the background for the tales.
- Strolling along the Royal Route, you will follow the route of royal processions from the ceremonial Florianska Gate to Wawel Castle. We will talk about the Barbican guard tower and head towards the heart of the city through medieval streets past merchant houses.
- In the elegant Market Square, the Mariacki Church will be the center of attention. Inside, I will tell you about the details of the altar by the skilled work of Veit Stoss, and the trumpeter from the high tower will play the traditional melody 'hejnał'. Next, you will immerse yourself in stories about the residents of medieval colorful houses on the square - they remember False Dmitry, Marina Mniszek, Italian architect Santi Gucci, and other interesting characters.
- Through the academic quarter, we will reach Wawel Castle. Here, on the high bank of the Vistula River, you will get acquainted with the 'biography' of the castle-symbol of Poland: you will hear legends about dragons, the reign of Casimir the Great, the heyday of Wawel, its destructions, and gradual revival.
Polish-style lunch
To relax before the challenging second part of the tour, you will have lunch in a restaurant with traditional Polish dishes, and I will tell you about the culinary traditions of the country and recommend other delicacies worth trying.
Oscar Schindler's Factory: stories of the saved and their saviors
The tour will continue in the museum opened on the territory of the factory of the German industrialist Oscar Schindler, who saved almost 1200 Jews during the Holocaust. This story formed the basis of Steven Spielberg's brilliant film 'Schindler's List'. Examining the modern interactive exhibits, you will not only learn about the life of the factory but also touch the fates of people and stories of great humanity. Next, we will walk through the streets of the Podgórze district. Here you will see the main places where pages of human drama are captured: part of the undestroyed wall around the ghetto, the 'Under the Eagle' pharmacy, houses where thousands of resettled Jews hid, and a square with dozens of iron chairs - I will explain the meaning of this monument, leaving a haunting impression.
Organizational details
Please check with the guide before booking if the tour will take place on the chosen day
How the tour goes
- Old Town tour from 10:00 to 13:00
- From 13:00 to 15:00 - lunch time. After lunch (at 15:00) continuation of the tour to Schindler's Factory and Podgórze district.
- If the group is more than 8 people, the tour is conducted with headphones
- I will conduct the tour for you or another guide from our team
What is included in the price
- Lunch is included (soup + main course)
- Museum ticket is included in the price
Additional options
- When booking a tour from Warsaw, it is possible to purchase train tickets. Price is 80 euros for travel by EIP trains on the Warsaw - Krakow - Warsaw route.
- When booking this tour from Wroclaw, it is possible to purchase train tickets. Price is 40 euros for travel by IC trains on the Wroclaw - Krakow - Wroclaw route.
