Polish history and culture
Krakow, Poland’s historic capital, is home to the country’s oldest university and is regarded as its cultural heart. Wawel Cathedral, the coronation and burial place of many Polish kings, offers a fascinating journey through more than a thousand years of history. The entire Wawel complex preserves national treasures and tells the story of Poland’s rich past, presenting the country in all its diversity and depth. Krakow is therefore an ideal place to explore Polish culture and history.
History of German-Polish relations
For centuries, Krakow was a lively centre of German-Polish connections. The city benefited significantly from German achievements in technology, law and art. From Magdeburg law and the rebellion of Mayor Albert to important figures such as Copernicus, who studied at the University of Krakow, these elements reflect the complex and often productive relationships that shaped the region until the Second World War. A stay in Krakow provides a unique opportunity to explore this eventful shared history.
Jewish culture
Before the Second World War, Poland was home to Europe’s largest Jewish population, and Krakow, with its centuries-old Jewish community, was an important cultural centre. The Kazimierz district is distinguished by its unique architecture, seven surviving synagogues and two cemeteries, including Remuh, Poland’s oldest Jewish cemetery, with its remarkable tombstones. Secular buildings also bear witness to the diversity of the community, which included Orthodox, Hasidic and Reform Jews. The Judaica Museum in the Old Synagogue and the Galicia Jewish Museum offer powerful insights into the life and traditions of Galician Jews. A visit to Kazimierz opens fascinating perspectives on Jewish culture and Jewish-Christian coexistence before the catastrophe of the Holocaust.
Second World War and the Holocaust
During the Second World War, Krakow became the capital of the General Government and the setting for dramatic events. Under Nazi Governor-General Hans Frank, the city was transformed into a centre of terror and persecution. Universities were closed, professors deported to concentration camps, and Polish schools and cultural institutions destroyed. Works of art were lost, and many residents were sent to the Reich as forced labourers. The Jewish ghetto in Podgórze, the Płaszów concentration camp and sites such as the Schindler Factory now bear witness to these dark chapters. Krakow’s authentic memorial sites convey the history of the occupation and the immeasurable suffering of the Jewish population with exceptional immediacy.
Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial
Auschwitz-Birkenau stands as a memorial to the systematic mass murder of European Jews. The site combines a memorial, an extensive cemetery and a museum explaining the organisational and logistical dimensions of the Holocaust. Located only around 65 kilometres from Krakow, it can be reached by coach in approximately one hour and 15 minutes. This important site encourages reflection and is a powerful reminder of the importance of peace and tolerance for the future.
Resistance during the Second World War in Poland and Krakow
During the Second World War, the largest underground army operating in territory occupied by Nazi Germany was active in Krakow: the Home Army, Armia Krajowa. The Home Army Museum in Krakow uses modern displays to present the organisation’s history, its most important combat operations and its heroes. The museum tells the story of the resistance movement in a professional and engaging way.
Communism and contemporary history
Nowa Huta was created in the 1950s as a socialist model district beside the Lenin Steelworks and represented the largest industrial investment project in post-war Poland. Today, Nowa Huta has around 250,000 residents and is Krakow’s largest district. A visit provides fascinating insights into Poland’s communist past and creates opportunities to discuss social challenges since the political transformation of 1989.
Art history
Krakow is one of Poland’s most beautiful cities, with a medieval centre containing an exceptional concentration of European architectural monuments. The Old Town presents a fascinating mixture of styles, from Romanesque and Gothic through Renaissance, Baroque and Classicism to Historicism and Art Nouveau. Works such as the famous altarpiece by Veit Stoss in St Mary’s Basilica, the magnificent Baroque interior of St Anne’s Church and the Art Nouveau decoration of the Franciscan Basilica invite visitors to explore and discuss major transformations in art, culture, religion and philosophy.
