Do you want to get to know Nowa Huta in a way different from brochures and PRL snapshots? This walk is three hours of stories about a city of people and industry, about places planned as a model socialist town that today reveal the rich contrasts of Krakow.
The route focuses on urban space, architecture, residents’ anecdotes and local stories — without entering museums. We will see Kosciuszko Mound from the outside and use the viewpoint there, and I will describe the exhibitions in an accessible way so you can decide later whether you want to return for a separate visit.
The walk is led by me, Malgorzata Kasprowicz, a licensed guide for Krakow. I like to tell history with humour and make sure each participant takes away something interesting and practical.
The route is family-friendly and also works well for people interested in post‑war architecture and urban legends.
If you prefer to enter any of the museums during the tour — I offer the option of a short informational stop, but the main plan is a city walk without visiting interiors.
Central Square (Reagan Square) - the heart of Nowa Huta’s plan, an example of monumental post‑war urbanism. Around the square you can see the attempt to create a social centre with representative public space.
Nowa Huta Cultural Centre (NCK) - an important place for culture and community life in the district, showing that Nowa Huta is not only blocks and the steelworks but also a lively cultural scene.
Wanda and Willowe housing estates - the oldest residential complexes in Nowa Huta, where the architecture and street layout say a lot about the design assumptions of those years.
Aleja Róż (Avenue of Roses) and memorial sites - we will look at traces of PRL ideology, remnants of monuments and how the district changed after 1989.
Stylowa Restaurant - an iconic place from the 1950s and 60s, a great spot to talk about everyday life of residents and culinary memories of the era.
Nowa Huta Cross - a symbol of the residents’ struggle to build a church in an area originally planned as secular.
Teatr Ludowy and active institutions - examples showing that some infrastructure from earlier times is still alive and plays an important role in residents’ lives.
Cistercian Abbey in Mogila and the Church Arka Pana - places that show the longer history of the area around Nowa Huta, often forgotten in stories that focus only on the steelworks.
The steelworks (Tadeusz Sendzimir Steelworks) - we will pass by or look from the outside at the huge industrial investment that was the reason for the district’s creation.
Stops by apartment blocks - we will discuss different types of estates (for example the 'Swedish' block, the 'French' block), their layouts and construction curiosities.
Kosciuszko Mound stands on the Hill of Blessed Bronislawa in the Zwierzyniec district and is one of Krakow’s most recognizable landscape points.
The mound was built in the early 19th century — erected in 1820–1823 as a national memorial to Tadeusz Kosciuszko. Today it is also an excellent viewpoint over the city.
On the mound there is the Kosciuszko Museum and fragments of the citadel forts of the Krakow Fortress, but on this route we will stop at the mound and enjoy the view without entering permanent exhibitions.
You can reach the mound on foot from the city centre or by tram — the tram loop is located near the Norbertine convent, and the walk to the mound runs along pleasant, often chestnut‑lined avenues.
If you wish, after the walk you can return on your own to visit the museum or the fort — I will give practical tips on where to buy tickets and how much time to allocate.
Sometimes it is more valuable to see the city’s spaces, walk its streets and listen to stories than to spend all the time inside exhibition halls. Our route aims to give context: life, urbanism, politics and everyday reality.
A walk without museums is also more convenient for families with children and for visitors with limited time in Krakow — in three hours we will see the key points and feel the atmosphere of Nowa Huta.
Of course, if you want to enter interiors (for example the museum on the mound or certain churches), we can arrange that and adapt the route before the tour.
I emphasize — a museum option is available, but it isn’t the default part of this route.
If you enjoy photographing architecture or appreciate urban stories about people, this version of the walk is ideal.
Duration: typically 3 hours — an optimal time to walk the route calmly, talk and take photo breaks.
Meeting point: arranged individually after booking; most often we meet at the Main Market Square by the Adam Mickiewicz monument or at another convenient point in the centre.
Transport: part of the route is on foot, and part can be done using public transport or a short coach transfer if the group needs it. Kosciuszko Mound is conveniently reached by tram; the tram loop is by the Norbertine convent.
Getting there by car: there are also parking areas near the tram loop, but in high season it’s better to use public transport.
Underground shelters: there is an option to visit air‑raid shelters under the city — this is an extra that extends the tour by about an hour and adds an element of Nowa Huta’s 'underground' history.
Comfortable shoes - there is a lot of walking on different surfaces and through green alleys.
Clothing suited to the weather - the mound and green areas can be windy and cooler than the city centre.
A water bottle and a camera - the views from the mound and the urban contrasts are great for photos.
If you want to enter shelters or interiors after the route, plan extra time and let me know when booking.
For families with small children - consider a baby carrier or off‑road stroller; parts of the route are stroller‑friendly but not all sections are.
Is museum admission included? - The standard version of the walk does not include museum entry. Entrance fees are additional and I can help buy tickets if you choose an extended route.
Is the walk in English? - Yes, I run tours in both Polish and English. Please state your preferred language when booking.
Is the tour suitable for children? - Yes. I have experience guiding families and I try to make the stories accessible and engaging for different age groups.
What if the weather is bad? - Walks take place regardless of weather; in heavy rain we can slightly modify the route to spend more time in sheltered places.
How do I book the tour? - I accept bookings by phone or email; all details are arranged individually to match the meeting point and start time.
I like to tell Krakow’s stories in a way that is interesting, light and practical. Nowa Huta is a space full of contradictions, humour and human stories — it deserves time and a look beyond the communist legend.
If you want to discover places you won’t read about in every guidebook, and at the same time see Kosciuszko Mound with a lovely view without the need to enter exhibitions — this walk is a perfect fit.
I invite you to the tour and I’m happy to answer questions at booking to make your trip to Krakow as pleasant as possible.
Malgorzata Kasprowicz
Licensed guide for Krakow
To book the walk or ask for details, please contact me by phone or email. When booking we will set the meeting place and start time and any preferences for the route.
During the call or message we can tailor the route to your expectations — a shorter version, a version with a coach transfer, or an extended option including visits to shelters or selected interiors.
I can also prepare a route adapted for school or corporate groups — with activities and puzzles for participants.
See you on a walk through Nowa Huta!
— Malgorzata
