Podgórze
Krakow, Poland
Across the river from Kazimierz, Krakow’s Jewish Quarter, Podgórze has a tragic past. It was here that Nazi Germans forced Jews into a ghetto, then transported them to concentration camps. Most travelers come here for World War II sights, particularly Oskar Schindler’s Factory, home of the story retold in the film Schindler’s List.
The basics
There’s more than Schindler’s factory to Podgórze’s World War II story. At the Eagle Pharmacy, Tadeusz Pankiewicz helped save thousands of Jewish lives; on Ghetto Heroes’ Square, thousands more Jewish people awaited the trains going to Auschwitz; elsewhere, a remnant of the ghetto wall still stands, preserved for posterity.
Today, however, this industrial neighborhood is modernizing rapidly. It’s now home to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow (MOCAK), as well as bars and clubs. Besides World War II tours and Jewish history tours, you can explore Podgórze by bicycle, or see it from a river cruise in a typical Vistula barge.
Things to know before you go
Podgórze is a must-visit for anyone with an interest in Jewish or World War II history, as well as industrial architecture and modern art.
You could easily spend half a day or more exploring Pódgorze.
MOCAK is fully wheelchair accessible, and Oskar Schindler’s Factory has reasonable wheelchair access, with elevators between floors, but access to other Podgórze sights may vary.
How to get there
Podgórze sits on the south side of the Vistula, opposite Kazimierz (Krakow Jewish Quarter). It’s about a 1.5-mile (2.5-kilometer) walk from Rynek Glowny (Main Market Square), or you can catch the #3 tram from the main post office to Ghetto Heroes Square. From Krakow Glowny Railway Station (the city’s main rail station), you can catch a suburban train to Krakow Zablocie, by the Schindler factory.
When to get there
Podgórze’s nightlife is more locally centered and considerably better hidden than either the Kazimierz or the Krakow Old Town scene, so most travelers visit during the day to take in the historic and cultural sights. If you’d like to see Oskar Schindler’s Factory, note that it’s closed the first Tuesday of the month and other days throughout the year, so check the schedule in advance.
The Jewish Ghetto and Oskar Schindler’s Factory
Jewish people had been living in Krakow for more than 700 years when the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939. In 1941, the Nazis established a walled and fenced ghetto in Podgórze, and forced 15,000–20,000 Jewish people to live there. The Germans set up factories using Jewish people as forced labor: Oskar Schindler was one entrepreneur in whose factory they worked. Ultimately, he saved more than 1,000 Jewish people from deportation to concentration camps by listing them as vital to producing armaments—the list that inspired Schindler’s List.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!