The Traces of Jewish Culture

General information

Destination	Category
Krakow, Poland	Attractions/Entertainment

Program details

Discover Kazimierz, Poland's historical Jewish centre, on this tour of a district filled with history, culture and astounding architecture. This area is also the setting where ''Shindler's List'', Stephen Spielberg's notorious World War II drama, was filmed.

Kazimierz is named after the king who opened his arms to Jews worldwide and invited them to come and live in Poland in the 14th century. This made Poland a safe haven for Jews, who in medieval ages were persecuted all over the predominantly Christian Europe. In Kazimiez, Jewish culture flourished and its religion prospered greatly thanks to the policy of religious tolerance that embraced Polish inhabitants since the 15th century. This accepting, open-minded atmosphere brought together a wide variety of Jewish refugees, all pertaining to different cultural branches.

With this tour, retrace the cultural diversity which inhabited Kazimierz and made it blossom. You can still feel the cultural richness today in its ancient, mystical atmosphere. You can also appreciate the Jewish variety in the various synagogues that were constructed in that age, including the oldest of the preserved synagogues in Poland.

Certain streets and views might look familiar or ring a bell in the back of your mind; if you've watched the Oscar winning ''Shindler's List'', you'll realise you've seen these places before in black and white moving images, for the film was shot in this area. The end of the tour brings you to the monument that commemorates the victims of the former Nazi concentration camp in Plaszow.

Meeting/pick-up point: Bus park at 11 Powi?le Street opposite the Sheraton Hotel.
Duration: Approx. 4 hours.
Start/opening time: Wednesdays and Sundays departing at 9am.
Languages: English.