Podgórze Guide

Oskar Schindler's actual enamelware factory has been transformed into one of the most powerful museums in Poland. The permanent exhibition "Krakow Under Nazi Occupation 1939-1945" goes far beyond Schindler's story to chronicle the entire wartime experience of Krakow's residents — both Polish and Jewish. The immersive, multimedia exhibition walks you through the city's occupation year by year, using personal objects, photographs, film footage, and reconstructed environments. Allow at least 2-3 hours. The final room — an empty, silent space — is one of the most emotionally affecting museum experiences anywhere.

This haunting memorial marks the site where the Krakow Ghetto residents were gathered for deportation to concentration camps. The square is filled with 70 oversized bronze chairs — empty chairs symbolizing the absence of those who were murdered. Each chair represents 1,000 victims. The memorial is deliberately stark and unsettling. At night, the illuminated chairs against the dark square create an unforgettable image. There is also a small pharmacy museum (Apteka Pod Orłem) on the square corner, commemorating Tadeusz Pankiewicz, the only non-Jewish Pole who remained in the ghetto.

Krakow's premier contemporary art museum, built on the grounds adjacent to Schindler's Factory. MOCAK showcases cutting-edge Polish and international contemporary art across multiple exhibition halls. The building itself is a striking piece of modern architecture that complements the industrial heritage of the area. Exhibitions change regularly and often engage with themes of memory, identity, and social justice. The museum shop and cafe are excellent. A refreshing counterpoint to Krakow's predominantly historical museums.

A mysterious prehistoric mound dating back to the 7th century — possibly the burial site of the legendary King Krakus who founded Krakow. Rising 16 meters above the surrounding terrain in the Podgórze district, the mound offers the best panoramic view of Krakow available without entering a building. On a clear day, you can see the entire Old Town skyline, Wawel Castle, and the Tatra Mountains in the distance. The climb is short but steep. Sunset from the top is spectacular and popular with locals who bring picnics and blankets.

A beautiful pedestrian and cycling bridge spanning the Vistula River between Kazimierz and Podgórze. The modern steel bridge, opened in 2010, has become a Krakow landmark in its own right. Acrobatic sculptures by Jerzy Kędziora balance impossibly on the cables — figures frozen in mid-leap and mid-dance above the river. The bridge is also covered with love locks left by couples. Crossing at sunset, with the river reflecting the sky and the Old Town silhouette in the background, is magical.

The original town square of Podgórze, which was a separate city until it was incorporated into Krakow in 1915. Much quieter and more local than the Old Town square, this triangular plaza is anchored by the neo-Gothic St. Joseph's Church. The square is surrounded by elegant 19th-century townhouses and has a handful of charming cafes. It gives you a sense of what Podgórze was like as an independent town — genteel, self-contained, and proud of its own identity.