Zakrzówek attracts attention with a strong contrast: the raw limestone cliffs of a former quarry, green slopes and a bright turquoise lake formed after mining stopped. The area also holds historical layers — in the interwar years and during the occupation it was a place of work and daily life for many Krakow residents. Combining a walk around Zakrzówek with visits to nearby memorial sites allows you to build a program that mixes outdoor relaxation with reflection on the city’s difficult past. For team-building groups this format offers varied activities: fresh-air movement, shared nature observation and moderated conversations about memory, identity and empathy.
This route works well when time is limited — half a day (usually 3–4 hours) — because it links an attractive, easily accessible recreational area with several historical points inside the city. For team-building groups it’s important that the pace is moderate and that content is delivered sensitively and adapted to participants’ experiences.
A half-day program gives the opportunity to build a clear narrative: from local, material traces (the quarry, signs of industrial activity) to a broader context (the fate of Krakow residents in 1939–1945, the history of districts such as Podgórze and Kazimierz). This sequence helps participants find personal associations and space for reflection.
Include integrative elements in the program — short partner or small-group exercises, discussion prompts and a moment of silence and reflection at a specific memorial. These support empathy and make it easier to talk about difficult topics.
When preparing the route, pay attention to on-site safety at Zakrzówek (paths near cliffs, slippery surfaces after rain) and to the sensitivity of World War II topics — avoid sensational language, focus on facts and on listening to participants.
The program is designed for small and medium-sized team-building groups: work teams, training groups, NGOs and local communities. The optimal group size for comfortable facilitation and discussion is 10–25 people. Smaller groups are easier to engage; larger groups require division into subgroups and extra facilitators.
The route suits both people who expect a light walk with educational elements and those who want deeper historical reflection. Because of the topic, ask in advance about participants’ expectations and any experiences that require extra sensitivity (for example, close relatives of people affected by the war).
For groups with limited mobility there are shortened options and alternative routes — see the practical section for details. The program can also be adapted by age: a youth version includes more educational and active exercises, while an adult version provides deeper narratives and time for conversation.
For school groups it is recommended to cooperate with a licensed historical guide or a museum educator who can lead the substantive part about World War II in a factual and responsible way.
For companies and organizers of team-building events — this program combines physical activity and group-bonding with elements of reflection (it is not an entertainment-only program but an educational memory-focused experience).
A practical outline that balances movement, history and discussion:
- 09:00 - 09:15 - Meeting and short welcome; explain safety rules and discussion guidelines (respect, voluntary speaking).
- 09:15 - 10:30 - Walk around Zakrzówek: route by the lake and along the slopes of the old quarry. Short stories about the site’s industrial past, people connected to the quarry and the harsh realities of the occupation. Time for photos and a simple outdoor team exercise (e.g., paired task: listen and share a brief reflection).
- 10:30 - 11:00 - Transfer to Podgórze (or another nearby memorial point).
- 11:00 - 12:15 - Visit the area around Oskar Schindler’s Factory / Podgórze or a thematic walk linking memorial sites (depending on ticket availability and group preferences). Substantive information on the fate of Krakow residents, the Krakow ghetto and local acts of resistance and rescue. Time for a moderated discussion and shared reflections.
- 12:15 - 12:30 - Closing: integrative summary, questions, tips for further self-guided exploration and encouragement to keep in touch as a group.
Zakrzówek — the former limestone quarry, now a park with a lake: the walk is an opportunity to talk about transformations of urban space, manual labour and how the landscape carries traces of history. In describing the place, cover the quarry’s origin, periods of extraction, the cessation of mining and the flooding of the pit, as well as local initiatives for conservation and redevelopment.
Podgórze and Oskar Schindler’s Factory — powerful narrative points about wartime Krakow. The museum provides context for talking about everyday life under occupation, forced labour, the fate of Krakow’s Jewish community and acts of rescue. If entering the museum is not possible, exterior sites and the guide’s account can still form a valuable substitute.
Smaller memorial points — depending on the route you may visit commemorative plaques, former labour camp sites, war cemeteries or small local exhibits. These places often provoke the most personal reactions; check accessibility and group-friendliness beforehand.
Local memory rooms — if you plan to visit suburban areas connected to Zakrzówek (for example municipal memory rooms or local displays), they make a good educational addition — they show local relationships to history, exhibit keepsakes and chronicles, and allow contact with a custodian of the exhibition.
At each point prepare a short narrative that links facts with open questions to engage participants — this is a core technique when working with team-building groups.
Memory and trauma topics require special sensitivity. A few practical rules:
- Set the framework at the start: state the purpose and length of the discussion. Say clearly that these are difficult topics and participants may need a break.
- Use factual language and avoid sensational terms. Present historical context, but above all listen to participants’ experiences and allow space for emotional reactions.
- Offer alternatives — for people who do not want to take part in the memory session, prepare a quiet activity (e.g., a landscape walk, a nature-observation worksheet).
- Moderate the conversation to protect personal boundaries. Ask open questions: What do you think seeing this place? What in this story matters to you? Which values would we like to carry into the present?
- Provide professional support if the group includes people with histories of traumatic experiences. In that case it’s good to have contact details for a specialist or inform participants where they can get follow-up help after the tour.
Transport — the Zakrzówek–Podgórze route is easily reachable by car or public transport. For team-building groups it’s recommended to rent a minibus for larger teams to keep the program flowing and avoid time lost on transfers.
Duration — half day usually means 3–4 hours. If you plan to enter a museum (for example Oskar Schindler’s Factory), check availability and book tickets in advance — group entries may require prior reservation and have limits on participant numbers.
Safety at Zakrzówek — the area has steep slopes near the rocks and the lake edge. Arrange appropriate footwear (closed shoes with stable soles), check the weather forecast and avoid paths near edges in strong wind or after heavy rain. Ask participants with limited mobility about their needs in advance to prepare an alternative route.
Permissions and regulations — depending on planned activities (e.g., a bonfire, spreading materials in public space, large display boards) you may need to notify the site manager. A normal walk and guiding a tourist group do not usually require special permits, but it’s worth confirming in advance.
Food and breaks — a half-day program usually does not include a full meal. Plan a short break for drinks and snacks, ideally at a place with benches or a café near the endpoint. Nearby options include Cafe Zakrzówek at the lake, and in the wider area places such as Bistro Praska, Pierwszy Stopień, Gavi or Broo Seafood & Bar. For participants with allergies or dietary restrictions, gather information before the trip.
Insurance — organizers should consider basic group insurance or ensure participants are aware of their own health insurance coverage.
A guide leading this route should prepare:
- a short visual presentation (images, maps) for quick display during stops;
- work cards for team-building groups: simple observation tasks, discussion prompts, paired exercises;
- a list of local historical sources and archival photographs that can be used in the narration;
- a first-aid kit and an emergency plan for battery failure or logistical problems;
- contacts for local memory institutions (museums, regional memory rooms) useful if the group wants to deepen the topic after the tour.
It is good practice to prepare a short summary for participants after the tour — a handout with the main points, recommended reading and places to visit independently.
1) "Map of feelings" - give participants sheets of paper and ask them to write in a few words what they feel in a given place. After 5–10 minutes collect responses (voluntarily) and briefly discuss common themes. The goal is to identify emotions and open space for dialogue.
2) "Story from an object" - divide the group into small teams and ask each to invent a short story about an imagined object found in a factory workshop or quarry. The exercise develops imagination and empathy and lets participants step into the perspective of people from the past.
3) "Silence for reflection" - 3–5 minutes of shared, undirected silence at a chosen memorial site. After the silence invite everyone to share one word describing the experience. This simple tool calms emotions and gathers group attention.
All exercises should be presented as optional — nobody must participate if they feel uncomfortable. This is especially important with wartime topics.
The cost of a private tour depends on route length, guide experience, number of participants and any museum entrance fees. For team-building groups it makes sense to book a licensed city guide or museum educator with experience in group facilitation and handling difficult historical conversations.
When booking, check whether the guide has experience working with team-building groups and whether they offer a program tailored to your needs (pace, integrative exercises, support in moderating discussion). It’s good practice to agree the scenario and any preliminary questions a few days before the tour.
If you plan to enter a museum with group tickets, book in advance. Weekends and the high season may limit availability. If the museum is full, propose an alternative outdoor narrative or an additional memorial point.
Ask about invoicing options and possible discounts for organizations or school groups.
Is the route suitable for children? - Yes, but World War II content should be adapted to age. For younger children use simpler, less detailed narratives and more active nature tasks at Zakrzówek.
How many people can participate? - The optimal number is 10–25 people. Larger groups should be split into smaller subgroups with separate guides or facilitators.
Are tickets required? - If you plan to enter a museum (e.g., Oskar Schindler’s Factory), usually yes. A walk around Zakrzówek and outdoor storytelling do not require tickets.
Is the route safe? - Yes, if basic rules are followed: proper footwear, avoid approaching cliff edges, caution on wet surfaces. Check weather conditions before departure.
Should the guide be licensed? - For historical content and educational group work, hiring a licensed city guide or museum educator is recommended. This ensures quality of information and safe facilitation.
A half-day tour linking Zakrzówek with World War II memorial sites is an excellent format for team-building groups: it combines activity and bonding with meaningful historical education. A well-planned program gives participants a chance for a personal experience of place, shared reflection and strengthened group relationships.
When preparing such a program remember the sensitivity of the topic, the safety of the terrain and the importance of giving participants choices — who wants to speak and who prefers to observe. If you’d like, Małgorzata Kasprowicz can prepare a personalized scenario for your group — taking into account team size, mobility needs, team-building goals and thematic preferences. She will propose a detailed schedule with times, suggested exercises and a practical packing list.
Thank you for your trust — and welcome to creating empathetic, thoughtful and safe memory programs for team-building groups in Krakow.
