Dziwaczne Odkrycia: Touring Kazimierz, Krakow’s Jewish Quarter
Krakow is a tourist haven, a backpacker’s stop off point and a sombre former capital of Poland. While my love for Poland is hopefully clear by now, Krakow will take some “cracking” with me. I have been twice, but not been as inspired by this city as any of the other places in Poland I have been to date. I am not sure why, but I did manage to get a lot of sightseeing done. And the Jewish Quarter, known as Kazimierz is literally “right up my street” so therefore perfect material for another “Dziwaczne Odkrycia”, quirky or unusual encounters on my ongoing Polish adventures.
Dziwaczne Odkrycia: Touring Krakow’s Jewish Quarter
When I arrived in the city of Krakow in Poland, it was time to delve into some Jewish history. Yes, I have spent a hat-trick of weeks backpacking through Israel and Palestine, I even once stayed in a Kibbutz, but here, Jewish history is a huge thing, for sad reasons. Krakow has always had a large Jewish population and a Jewish neighbourhood. While the situation here has changed down the years, notoriously and notably during German Nazi rule, modern day Krakow is an easy backpacking city for any new explorer. Try not to slip in and out of the city without at least a visit to the Jewish Quarter in the city, which is so stand out and quirky, it often feels like you have moved cities. And it’s not as grim as visiting German Death Camps.
Touring Krakow’s Jewish Quarter, Kazimierz
When you travel to a city as popular as Krakow, you cannot really avoid other tourists, I was there in December 2015 and even then it was really busy. The local airport has flights to Krakow from all over Europe to places like Dublin, Copenhagen, Paris, Madrid and so on. I booked myself into the popular Mosquito Hostel in the city and there are plenty of hotels in Krakow Jewish Quarter too.
Remum Synagogue – a Synagogue in Jewish Krakow
Remum Synagogue – a Synagogue in Jewish Krakow
On this recent trip to Poland, as well as touring Auschwitz and Birkenau, I decided primarily to tour the Jewish part of Krakow. Every day there is a free walking tour of the Jewish Quarter and it starts at 2pm. However, I backpacked it on my own as I wanted more time to explore and I especially wanted to visit Schindler’s Factory. The place of course that inspired the film Schindler’s List. Aside from that, it makes for a fascinating place to get to grips with the German invasion of Poland and the destruction of humanity that these Nazis caused on innocent people. Here are my top 5 sights in Jewish parts of Krakow, spanning from the Jewish Quarter across the river to where the Jewish Ghetto was.
Dziwaczne Odkrycia: Touring Krakow’s Jewish Quarter
1.Schlinder’s Factory
This is the number one sight for me. Not just in Jewish Krakow, or even Krakow, but it is a key sight for Polish and German people the world over. This is the famous factory which employed Jews during Hitler’s invasion, which has now been converted into one of the best museums in the world.
On the tour of Schindler’s Factory in Krakow
On the tour of Schindler’s Factory in Krakow
Its owner Oscar Schindler famously having a “list” of Jewish employees and protecting their identities in a time where Germans (using the cover name of Nazis) were working Jewish people to their death at concentration camps.
On the tour of Schindler’s Factory in Krakow
On the tour of Schindler’s Factory in Krakow
I spent 3 hours inside Schindler’s Factory which is the same building as the factory was in but it now houses a huge museum and one of the best museums I have ever been in. It’s a bit of a walk out of the city, across the bridge and over the Wisla River, past the main Jewish Quarter but it is so much worth the trip.
On the tour of Schindler’s Factory in Krakow
On the tour of Schindler’s Factory in Krakow
Inside, mock old cities remind us of war times in Krakow as well as displays such as a mock Jewish Ghetto and Schindler’s Office. It is really insightful.
Schlindler’s Factory, Krakow
Schlindler’s Factory, Krakow
2.The Old Synagogue
The Jewish Quarter has lots of synagogues in it. The Old Synagogue has actually now been converted into a museum – well worth a look, even if the outside looks a bit run down. It’s situated in the heart of Jewish Krakow.
The Old Synagogue, Krakow
The Old Synagogue, Krakow
3.The Tempel Synagogue
On your walk through the Jewish district you will pass a few more synagogues. Some were closed but I went into a few of them and the one that I enjoyed most was the Tempel Synagogue, on a prominent corner on your walk back towards the Old Town.
Tempel Synagogue, Krakow
4.The Jewish Museum
Down near the Wisla River, past the Old Synagogue is yet another museum, the third on this list. It is dedicated to the Jewish people.
The Jewish Museum
5.Plac Wolnica – Main Square, Cemetery and Murals
The central square in the Jewish Quarter is the place to try some Israeli food by day and by night you can drink in some Jewish style bars. For the avid blogger ( 😉 ) there are also a few Wi-Fi spots. Here are some more photos from the Jewish Quarter of Krakow which I highly recommend, starting with those from the main square, Plac Wolnica.
Plac Wolnica.
Plac Wolnica, Jewish Krakow.
Plac Wolnica, Jewish Krakow.
Plac Wolnica, Jewish Krakow.
Streets of Jewish Krakow
Wisla River near Jewish Krakow
Reminders of the bad times
A synagogue
An Israeli Restaurant
It is worth spending a few hours here, although I probably just skimmed the surface – you can find a good overview of more things to do on the In Your Pocket Guides:
Jewish Krakow – Kazimierz
The Jewish Ghetto, Krakow
Here are some of my videos from backpacking in Krakow’s Jewish Quarter:
Hi there, Jonny. We met on the train to Gdansk, last week. I checked your posts related to Kraków, and have one comment. The pictures described as “Plac Wolnica” are actually not from Plac Wolnica, but from different places in “Jewish district”.
Hi Piotr, Czesc, yes I remember you well. I am sorry I will change it now, tourists sometimes get things wrong. Best wishes! Jonny