I invite schools to join me in visiting places connected with the life of Krakow’s Jewish community before the war and the tragic events of 1939–1945. The route is designed with students in mind — the content is fact-based, age-appropriate, and the walking pace allows history to be combined with memory exercises and moments for reflection. As a licensed guide in Krakow I have led school groups for years — I know how important logistical, emotional and educational preparation is, so the plan includes tips on booking tickets, parking or drop-off points, internet access and meal breaks. Guiding covers everyday life in Kazimierz, the creation and functioning of the ghetto in Podgórze, and the memorial sites and museums that preserve the testimonies of those times. The route includes a visit to Schindler’s Factory (museum), the Ghetto Heroes Square and the principal synagogues of Kazimierz — we talk about people, not just dates.
The route is available both for older classes (middle/high school) and in a modified form for younger pupils; before every trip I discuss teachers’ expectations and any specific points they want emphasised.
- History told by a person, not a brochure: I guide with passion and empathy. I explain complex topics in simple language, using everyday analogies so students can better understand the context.
- Program aligned with educational goals: I prepare content linked to the curriculum (history, social studies, ethics).
- Practical support: I assist with booking museum tickets, recommend the best visiting hours, advise on audio set options for larger groups and prepare a teacher’s checklist.
- Emotional safety: we present wartime topics with respect, offer reflective activities and short breaks so students can process information.
- Experience and credentials: I have years of experience with school groups, hold licenses for guiding in museum premises and understand museum restrictions (visitor limits, photography rules in some rooms, etc.).
Below is a sample program that can be easily adapted to the class and available time:
- 0:00 - Meeting and brief introduction in Kazimierz: an overview of the prewar Jewish community, everyday life and the district’s role in the city’s culture.
- 0:20 - Walk around Kazimierz’s main points: synagogues (short exterior presentation of the buildings and their functions), Szeroka Street, Plac Nowy — a chance to talk briefly about economic and culinary life before the war.
- 1:00 - Crossing to Podgórze by footbridge or tram (depending on the plan). A concise explanation of what forming the ghetto meant and where the Krakow ghetto borders were.
- 1:20 - Ghetto Heroes Square and memorial sites: reflection on how memory is marked in the urban space.
- 1:40 - Visit to Schindler’s Factory (museum) — guided tour of the exhibition (ticket reservation required; time depends on group size and bookings).
- 2:30 - Summary of the walk, time for questions, meal break.
- 3:00 - Short closing activity (quiz, reflective task or a group “memory letter”).
The program can be lengthened or shortened: for younger pupils it is worth limiting the number of museum stops and increasing interactive elements; for older students you can add extra stops such as the New Jewish Cemetery or the Galicia Jewish Museum (photography and memory).
Kazimierz — a once lively Jewish district, today a place of meetings, synagogues and memory. I tell students what everyday life looked like, what professions people had and how the district fitted into Krakow’s life.
Synagogues of Kazimierz — although some buildings now serve cultural functions, we explain their religious and social roles; I point out architectural features and explain what can be found inside (without entering where limits apply).
Plac Nowy — a good spot for a short break; try iconic zapiekanki from the Okrąglak stalls (popular stalls include Endzior among others).
Podgórze and the Ghetto Borders — we show where the ghetto borders ran, what life in a confined area looked like and the everyday consequences of segregated space.
Ghetto Heroes Square and memorial places — we pause to discuss symbols of memory, monuments and commemorative practices.
Schindler’s Factory (Museum) — a key stop for groups wanting the full context: the museum presents Krakow under occupation, policies of the occupiers, forced labour and the life stories of people whose fate was saved or cut short.
Optional additional places (on request): New Jewish Cemetery, Galicia Jewish Museum, selected memorial points across the city.
Booking a guide: it is best to propose a date several weeks in advance, especially during the school year and tourist season. For large groups (over 30 people) consider ordering additional audio equipment (headsets) or a second guide — I can provide headset sets which make it much easier to work in crowded places.
Museum tickets: Schindler’s Factory and some other museums admit a limited number of visitors per time slot — therefore I recommend booking in advance. I can help coordinate ticket purchases and choose visiting hours that fit your class schedule.
Indicative pricing (school group offer): guiding fees and promotional rates are arranged individually; there are tariffs for small and large groups and the option to rent audio sets. When requesting an offer please provide number of students, class level, preferred time and any special needs.
Meeting point and logistics: I will suggest a convenient meeting point in Kazimierz or near Wawel. If you come by coach, we can agree on drop-off and pick-up points; if you use public transport I will advise the best stop.
Duration and pace: a standard school visit lasts 2–4 hours; plan one longer break (20–30 minutes) for a meal.
A short introduction before the trip helps students better absorb the material: I suggest sending the teacher a set of preparatory materials and a few pre-visit tasks, for example:
- Predictions: what do students already know about Kazimierz and the ghetto?
- Short research tasks: find one name, place or object connected to prewar Krakow;
- Emotional preparation: how to talk about difficult topics and how to respond to strong emotions during the visit.
During the tour I propose activities such as student notes, drawing a memorial place, a short quiz at the end or collectively writing a “memory letter”. These exercises help students process information and keep a healthy emotional distance.
For school groups the best options are quick, reliable places close to the route:
- Plac Nowy — stalls with zapiekanki and small cafés, easy to handle for groups.
- Restaurants and cafés in Kazimierz — look for places with larger outdoor space or a dining room that accept groups (it’s worth reserving in advance).
- Quick break ideas: seating the class on benches in Plac Nowy, a short pause by the Vistula boulevards or coffee/tea for chaperones in a nearby café.
If you want specific recommendations, I can suggest group-friendly cafés and help with initial contact and reservations.
- Before the trip remind students of basic rules: stay with the group, be punctual, and show respect at memorial sites.
- When discussing wartime topics use the rule “facts first, then reflection”: short, clear information followed by time for questions.
- Prepare a contact list for students and note any allergies; carry a small first-aid kit.
- If students experience strong emotions, I have calming techniques and suggested conversation prompts to help name and process feelings.
Do we need to book tickets for Schindler’s Factory in advance? - Yes, I recommend booking ahead, especially for larger groups. I can assist in coordinating the purchase.
Is the route suitable for younger students? - Yes, but the content and pace are adapted to age. For the youngest we focus on personal stories and symbols while avoiding graphic details.
How long does the visit last? - Typically 2–4 hours. For school groups a 3-hour route with one longer break is optimal.
Do we need parental consent for participation? - Many schools use standard permission slips; if sensitive emotional topics will be discussed it’s good practice to inform parents in advance.
Does the guide help with ticket purchases and restaurant reservations? - Yes — I support practical organisation including contacts with museums and preliminary reservations.
If you’d like to reserve a school tour or request a tailored offer, write or call — we will agree on the program, duration, price and scope of guiding. When booking please provide: school name, class, approximate number of participants, preferred dates and any special requirements.
After confirming the date I will send a list of practical tips for teachers (meeting point, documents needed for ticket purchase, a plan B for bad weather). I am also happy to help prepare short pre-visit materials for students.
Walking the traces of the ghetto and memorial places in Krakow is more than a history lesson: it is an encounter with people, their choices, fates and everyday life. For young people it is an opportunity to better understand mechanisms of social violence, empathy and remembrance. After such a tour students often return with questions that are worth continuing in the classroom — a sign that the subject was not only learned but also moved them.
I invite you to cooperate — together we will prepare a tour that is reliable, safe and educationally valuable.
