Welcome to Podgórze District

Podgórze District used to be a seperate part of Krakow, but currently it is one of the thriving city district. Over the years, Podgórze has been an industrial facilities for Krakow, which eventually was connected in 1915. In this part of city was created a big ghetto by Nazis for Jews have been living in Krakow during World War II.

What do you need to see in Podgórze?

1. Ghetto Heroes Square (formerly named the Agreement Square).

Ghetto was founded by Otton Wachter, who was a main initiator of this project in 1941. Every non-Jewish person was moved from that area to another. During the first selection in 1942 died at least 111 Jews. Later in 1943, the ghetto was liquidated. On that time Nazis did the last selection on the square.

2. "Pharmacy under the Eagle"

"Pharmacy under the Eagle" was the only chemist's in the ghetto during the Nazis occupation in Krakow. Owner of the chemist's was a Pole who used to live into ghetto from the beginning to the end of its exsistence.  Further, the pharmacy was a conspiratorial place, which helped Jews  living inside the ghetto.
Nowadays, this place is a branch of the Historical Museum of Krakow.

3. Schindler's Factory, Lipowa 4 Street

Opening Hours:
November - March
on Mondays 10 am - 2 pm, Tuesday - Sunday 10 am - 6 pm

April - September
on Mondays 10 am - 4 pm, Tuesday - Sunday 10 am - 10pm

The museum is situated in the administrative building of the former Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory. Fate of rescued Jews are illustrated in Spielberg's film called Schindler's List. 

4. St Joseph Church

The church has  built over the main square on the rock podium of the former quarry. Previously on this land stood the temple built in 1832. Currently remains only a bell tower which is located at the rear of present church.

5. Podgórze Market Square

It is a specific place because of  a triangle shape. Since 1915, Podgórze has been a separate city. Therefore a square was called Podgórze Market Square. The building market is characterized by House under Deer of the 18th century, House of the Dark Eagle of 18th century, Manor of the White Eagle (which was the first town hall).

6. Old Cementery of Podgórze

Regard as the oldest municipal cementery in whole Krakow, founded between 1786 and 1792. The cementery was expanded twice in 1838 and in 1895. After all, the Old Cementery was closed in 1900 where lied the most meritorious people for Podgórze. Unfortunately most of graves have been destroyed forever due to the expansion of Telewizyjna Street and construction of the railway line.

7. Krakus Mound

Krakus Mound is one of the largest in Europe and the largest in Poland. In every Tuesday after Easter, the mound is a place of Rękawska Fair. There is a legend that the mound was made by people with their own hands.

8. Wojciech Bednarski Park

Park is popularly known as a great place of redevelopement of post industrial land. One of the amazing green place in Krakow.

9. Płaszów Concentration Camp

The camp was established in 1942 and abandoned in 1945. Most of prisoners were Jews and Gypsies. Poles were used as a workforce. It is estimated that around 8 000 people were killed there.

10. Torn-Out Hearts Memorial
The monument was erected in 1964 and initiated by Witold Cęckiewicz. It is a memorial of murdered people by Nazis.