Krakow History School Trips & Tours - The Holocaust

This historic Jewish district was left deserted as residents were forced by Nazis to move to the Podgorze ghetto. Visit the old synagogues and the cemetery, as well as iconic Jewish sites and museums.

In March 1941, the entire Jewish population of Krakow were crammed into this tiny ghetto as Nazi prejudice took hold. Also the location of Schindler’s Factory, students can explore the ghetto and consider the anti-Semitic events which took place here before large numbers of Jews were sent to labour and death camps.

Presenting Jewish history from a new perspective, this private museum celebrates the Jewish culture of Galicia and poignantly commemorates the victims of the Holocaust through its moving photographic exhibition. During your visit, your students can take part in a choice of interactive workshops. 

Groups have the invaluable opportunity to meet and speak with either a concentration camp survivor or a member of a survivor’s family. This is an incredible, poignant chance to hear moving eye-witness testimony and gain first hand insight into life under Nazi rule. Common themes covered often include conflict, prejudice and the values of tolerance and understanding.

Following the Nazi invasion of Poland in September 1939, Oświęcim was incorporated into the domains of the Third Reich. The town’s name was changed to Auschwitz and it became the largest concentration and death camp. Today, as a museum, Auschwitz serves as a poignant reminder of the horrors of Hitler’s tyranny and Holocaust trip will give students a fuller view of the terrible events and conditions, also allowing consideration of key study themes, including obedience, prejudice, tyranny and much more. 

Auschwitz is a one-hour coach journey from Krakow and is a truly emotive and thought-provoking visit.

In a fortified position overlooking the river and city are the Castle and Cathedral.

Visit Rynek Główny (Town Square), the largest in medieval Europe, Mariacki Church (St Mary’s Church) of Gothic origins with its fine altar, Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) of vast proportions and view the University District and the Collegium Maius - the historic heart of the university area.

Enjoy Jewish culture with a traditional Jewish meal at a local restaurant, with a range of delicacies to be experienced, including czulent (bean casserole), knyshe (dumplings) and stuffed gooseneck.

With a labyrinth of tunnels, Wieliczka Salt Mine is an eerie underworld which has been hand carved from salt blocks. Located 14km south east of Krakow, here your group have the opportunity to view a section of the mine and 22 chambers connected by galleries. A fascinating trip.

Also referred to as the Schindler Museum, this visit not only tells Schindler's story but covers every aspect of the Polish and Polish-Jewish experience of occupation in a way that is hugely relevant to British students. We thoroughly recommend this excellent museum, made famous by Spielberg's film, Schindler's List.