Do you remember that in the heart of Kraków you can walk from a lively market with cafés to places that remember a tragedy from about 80 years ago - and do it in a way that teaches rather than shocks? This intensive route is designed especially for youth groups: short, focused, with tasks and breaks that help process information and experience empathy instead of sensationalism. We start in Kazimierz and finish in Podgórze - where traces of the former ghetto and Oskar Schindler’s Factory remain. The goal is to understand history, not just tick off points on a map.
Start: Wolnica Square or Szeroka Street (Kazimierz) - 10–15 minutes. A short warm-up: expectations, group roles and safety rules.
Old Synagogue (Szeroka) - 25–35 minutes. A brief introduction to the synagogue’s history and the museum exhibition, one activity: “detail detectives” - students find three symbols or objects and write a short note.
Remuh Synagogue and Remuh Cemetery - 30–40 minutes. Explain the importance of the cemetery, discuss types of gravestones, reflect on memory. Invite the youth to a moment of quiet and ask each group for one short summary sentence.
Plac Nowy - 15–20 minutes. Stop for local street food (zapiekanki) or a short break; a quick photo game: “1 frame, 1 fact” - each group makes a photo illustrating a discovery.
Cross to Podgórze via Bernatek Bridge and the Vistula boulevards - 20–30 minutes (consider a short melex transfer for less mobile participants). Tell a brief story about the history of bridges and city borders along the way.
Ghetto Heroes’ Square and Pharmacy Under the Eagle - 25–35 minutes. Talk about life in the ghetto, the role of Tadeusz Pankiewicz’s pharmacy, a place for reflection and a short empathy exercise (for example a “What would I do?” card).
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory (Schindler’s Factory) - 40–60 minutes (if the group has tickets and time). If there’s no entry, walk around the outside and discuss the factory’s context and exhibition.
Dividing roles helps keep attention: photographer, recorder, timekeeper, group spokesperson. Rotate roles every 20–30 minutes.
Rhythm: move every 10–12 minutes + a short task of 3–7 minutes. Long monologues don’t work well - micro-tasks are better (detail detectives, historical puzzles, mini-debates 2x1 minute).
Student tasks that work: 1) “Letter to family” - three sentences imagining a testimony; 2) “Map of emotions” - mark the place that moved you and why; 3) “Truth or myth” - quick cards with facts to evaluate.
Rules for difficult topics: announce that you will avoid graphic descriptions; offer the option to step aside to a quiet place (a separate chaperone can sit with any student who needs a break).
Schindler’s Factory: tickets for the permanent exhibition can be limited; school groups often reserve in advance - check availability and prices before departure.
Branches of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków (Old Synagogue, Pharmacy Under the Eagle) operate on set hours - Remuh Synagogue has regulations related to prayer times and may be closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Plan the route to avoid closed days.
For larger groups you may need to split into subgroups at museum entrances or use guide headsets - check participant limits at venues and the conditions for school visits.
For youth with limited mobility or to save time you can plan part of the route by melex - a shared transfer from Kazimierz to Podgórze shortens moving time and gives a chance to point out memorial sites from the outside.
The Old Synagogue and some museum displays are accessible, but it’s always worth asking in advance about step-free entrances and lifts. The Pharmacy Under the Eagle and Schindler’s Factory also publish accessibility information on their museum pages.
If time is limited: choose a short loop in Kazimierz (Szeroka, Remuh, Plac Nowy) + a quick walk along the Vistula and a viewpoint in Podgórze. This gives students an outline of the topic without overloading them with facts.
Kazimierz offers youth-friendly places for groups. Recommended options: Hamsa (Szeroka) - mezze and Middle Eastern dishes, good for groups seeking a calm meal; Mleczarnia - a atmospheric café/pub with a large garden, good for a short break and drinks; Klezmer Hois - a restaurant inspired by Jewish culinary traditions, an interesting choice if you want to offer students local flavors in a varied format.
Plac Nowy is also a place for quick snacks - the well-known zapiekanka stalls can be an attraction if you want to show the contrast between everyday life and places of remembrance. Set clear hygiene and break-time rules.
If you’re pressed for time, order in advance or reserve a table - Kazimierz venues can be very busy on weekends.
Remuh Cemetery is one of the oldest burial sites in Poland - some tombstones date from the 16th century, and during mid-20th century clean-ups several hundred gravestones were found and restored.
The Old Synagogue has a very long history: original buildings existed already in the 15th–16th centuries, and after reconstruction in 1570 it became a major center of religious and cultural life in Kazimierz.
The Pharmacy Under the Eagle is not just a museum - it’s the story of real people. Tadeusz Pankiewicz, who ran the pharmacy during the occupation, helped ghetto residents; his story vividly shows individual choices in large historical events.
Too many facts at once - do not overload youth with dates and names. Better to show 3–4 strong images/themes and return to them through tasks.
No breaks and too long distances between points - plan short rests, drinks and small activities to keep attention.
Sensationalism instead of respect - avoid cheap shock tactics; teach empathy through concrete tasks (reflection cards, short spoken contributions) and moments of silence.
How long does the intensive route take? 2.5–4 hours, depending on whether you include entry to Schindler’s Factory.
Are Remuh and the Old Synagogue open on Saturdays? Remuh Synagogue is an active place of prayer and can be closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays - plan alternatives for that day.
Do I have to reserve museum entries? Yes - for larger groups it’s worth booking in advance, especially for Schindler’s Factory and certain branches of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków.
What if the group is conflictual or stressed? Remind rules before you go, have an emergency plan (chaperones, a rest spot), use role rotations and short tasks to engage every student.
Check opening hours and visiting rules for the museum branches you plan to visit.
Reserve tickets / restaurant places if you plan a group meal.
Print task cards, role sheets and a short route map; prepare a first-aid kit and a participant list with contact numbers.
If you liked this plan and want the route led professionally, I recommend the private guiding services of Małgorzata Kasprowicz - a guarantee of calm, a well-crafted program and experience working with youth.
If you found this text useful, share it with colleagues, teachers and school profiles. A good trip plan is worth recommending - you’ll help other groups visit consciously and with respect. Thank you for your trust and I wish you a meaningful visit to Kraków!
