A four-hour guided walk is an ideal compromise: enough time to enter the atmosphere of Podgórze and the Krakow ghetto, while also seeing lesser-known places and finding a moment to pause or have a short pilgrimage. This program combines elements of historical memory, local culture and simple spirituality, without rushing and without needing transport.
The route is designed so every participant can feel the context of events, see iconic places and discover “hidden pearls” — small courtyards, former workshops, murals, architectural corners and spots suited for reflection.
In this article you’ll find a ready step-by-step itinerary, suggested pilgrimage stops, ethical rules for visiting sites of memory and practical tips for participants (reservations, pace, accessibility).
Remember: silence and respect are required at sites of memory — the guide will provide historical context and an appropriate form of narration.
The route assumes walking on foot with short pauses; the program can be adapted to the group’s needs (pace, more stops, shorter or extended version).
1. Meeting and brief introduction (10–15 min) - meeting point in the heart of Podgórze or by the bridge, overview of the route and rules for behaviour at sites of memory.
2. Ghetto Heroes Square and the Eagle Pharmacy (30–40 min) - story of the fate of ghetto residents, the role of the pharmacy and aid activities; time to visit the museum branch in the pharmacy (optional) or a moment of reflection at the Empty Chairs memorial.
3. Walk through the former ghetto district and around Schindler’s Factory (40–50 min) - discussion of the urban space, post-war changes, traces of memory and nearby contemporary museums and cultural institutions.
4. Podgórze hidden gems and short breaks (40–50 min) - courtyards, local murals, small cafés and nooks that are easy to miss on a standard tour.
5. Pilgrimage/ reflection stop (20–30 min) - a suggested place is a nearby shrine or chapel (optionally Skałka or another local church), a moment of silent prayer or reflection and a short talk about the site’s significance for the local community.
6. Short ending on the Vistula boulevards or in a charming Kazimierz corner (15–20 min) - summary, questions and recommendations for further sightseeing or rest.
0:00-0:15 - Meeting and introduction: meet at the agreed point with the guide, distribution of headsets (if used), practical information (toilets, walking pace, rules at sites of memory).
0:15-0:50 - Ghetto Heroes Square and the Eagle Pharmacy: overview of the ghetto’s history during World War II, the role of the pharmacy run by Tadeusz Pankiewicz and everyday life in the ghetto. Time permitting, the group can visit the museum exhibition inside the Eagle Pharmacy (optional entry; tickets depend on the museum’s current policy).
0:50-1:40 - Walking the memory route in Podgórze: discussion of the ghetto’s topography, gathering points, later changes in the urban fabric, stops at memorials and at locations that appear in narratives about life before, during and after the war.
1:40-2:20 - Schindler’s Factory and the area around MOCAK: talk about the site’s transformations across the 20th and 21st centuries and a brief introduction to nearby museum exhibitions (those who wish can end the route inside one of the museums, but this requires extra time).
2:20-3:00 - Hidden pearls: entering lesser-known courtyards, alleys and places with interesting architecture; highlighting local touches such as murals, small galleries, artists’ studios and cafés ideal for a rest.
3:00-3:30 - Pilgrimage stop: a proposed short stop in a place of worship and reflection. This could be a traditional shrine or chapel within reach of the route; the guide will choose the form (short prayer, a minute of silence or simply a story about the site’s meaning for residents).
3:30-4:00 - Conclusion: walk toward the Vistula or into one of Kazimierz’s charming corners, time for questions, recommendations and practical information for those who want to continue exploring on their own.
Ghetto Heroes Square - the central point of the former Podgórze ghetto. This is where memorial elements commemorating the victims are located and where it’s easy to grasp the scale of historical events. Around the square you can still see fragments of former buildings and important museum sites.
Eagle Pharmacy (Apteka Pod Orłem) - a branch of the Historical Museum of Kraków with an exhibition dedicated to the pharmacy’s history and its owner, who helped ghetto residents. The interior and displays provide a direct, personal context of assistance and everyday life under extreme conditions.
Schindler’s Factory - nearby is the well-known museum documenting the city’s and its inhabitants’ fate during the war; even if the group does not enter, the space and the story of the factory are an important part of the route.
MOCAK / local galleries and murals - the contemporary cultural fabric of Podgórze and Kazimierz: contemporary art museums, studios and street art that tell the story of the district’s transformations after World War II.
Vistula boulevards and Kazimierz alleys - the route finishes toward livelier places where you can rest, have a coffee and summ up the walk.
Within the 4-hour walk it’s worth planning a short spiritual pause of several minutes. The form depends on the group: quiet reflection, a short prayer, lighting a candle, reading a passage from a diary or a memory — always with the group’s consent and out of respect for other visitors.
Suggested places: a shrine or chapel within walking distance. Alternatively, you can stop at a historic church or at Skałka — a local site strongly connected with cult and memory. The guide will provide historical and spiritual background and point out rules of conduct.
Important: if you plan a liturgical element (mass, prayer led by a celebrant), arrange this in advance with the community and the guide, as it requires coordination and often a reservation.
Example flow of the stop: 2–3 minutes of historical introduction, 5–10 minutes of silence or prayer, 3–5 minutes to light a candle or lay a symbolic tribute.
Out of respect for people of different faiths and beliefs, the form should be neutral and inclusive, unless the group explicitly requests prayer in a specific tradition.
Small courtyards and tenement houses with interesting architectural details — often passed in haste but full of elements that tell of the city’s former functions.
Murals and street art — Podgórze and neighbouring districts have several layers of street art that tell contemporary stories about the city and its inhabitants.
Cafés and small workshops: places where local craftsmen and creators maintain traditions while experimenting with new aesthetics. Great short stops for a break.
Fragments of industrial past: old warehouses, factory façades and traces of former workplaces that today often house artists’ studios or small museums.
All these elements create a contrast with the sites of memory, showing how the district has transformed and how the present is layered over historical traces.
Reservation: many guided walks require advance booking; organisers and municipal projects usually limit the number of participants to preserve comfort and safety. If you plan to enter museums after the route — check opening hours and ticket availability.
Pace and distance: a four-hour walk covers several kilometres at a moderate pace with breaks. Your guide will adjust the pace to the group — seniors and families with children usually need more stops.
What to bring: comfortable shoes, a water bottle, a rain jacket depending on the weather, ID (if you plan to use discounted museum tickets), a small backpack. For the pilgrimage stop you may bring a personal religious symbol if you wish, remembering to respect others.
Accessibility: not all parts of the route are fully accessible for wheelchair users; if anyone has special needs, notify the organiser in advance so the route can be adapted.
Silence and behaviour: at sites of memory please mute phones, behave quietly and respect others’ privacy. Photography in museums may be restricted — check information on site.
Places connected with tragedy and memory (the ghetto, execution sites, memorials) require a special approach: do not treat them as backdrops for entertaining photos. The guide is obliged to present facts accurately, without sensationalism and with respect for the victims.
Avoid obvious forms of commemoration or gestures that may be perceived as profanation. If the group wishes to lay a candle, wreath or other symbol — consult first with the guide or museum staff.
Questions and discussions are welcome, but remember the tone: lively historical questions require empathy and awareness of context.
The guide can suggest additional materials (reading lists, exhibitions, films) for those who want to deepen their knowledge after the walk.
If there are participants with particularly sensitive experiences (e.g. relatives of victims) the guide should ensure the narration is tactful and not exploitative of drama for effect.
For families: a shortened, gentler version with more breaks and shorter stories, more anecdotes and curiosities, plus a stop for a sweet snack or ice cream.
For school groups: an introduction with educational elements, age-appropriate materials, emphasis on understanding historical context without graphic detail.
For religious groups/pilgrims: a version with an expanded spiritual element — a longer pilgrimage stop and possible coordination with a local parish (only after prior arrangement).
For art and culture enthusiasts: an extended version with additional stops at galleries, studios and murals; discussion of contemporary cultural narratives in Podgórze and Kazimierz.
Private variants: for private bookings the guide can tailor the route to preferences (pace, themes, must-see points).
Are 4 hours enough to see everything? Four hours allow for a well-balanced route: key places, historical context and a few “hidden pearls”. If you want to enter museums and explore exhibitions in depth, plan extra time.
Is the route suitable for children? Yes, but the historical narration should be age-adjusted. For younger children it’s worth shortening the stories or focusing on less graphic elements.
Does the guide bring tickets and documents? The guide is not responsible for individual tickets unless they were booked as part of the service. Museum entries are best reserved in advance because of limits on visitor numbers.
Can the route be done in rain? Yes — most of the route is outdoors, so in bad weather bring ponchos and waterproof shoes. The guide will inform you of any program changes.
Is the route accessible for people with limited mobility? Not all sections are fully accessible; notify the organiser and the route can be partially modified.
A four-hour walk through Podgórze combining the Krakow ghetto, hidden gems and a short pilgrimage stop is a proposal for those who want to understand the city through the lens of history and everyday life. The route allows space for reflection, discovering lesser-known places and pausing at a spiritual point.
If you want to book this route: agree on the meeting point and time, inform the guide about your preferences (pace, accessibility, religious element) and check museum availability if you plan to go inside.
After the walk I recommend visiting a local café or a small gallery — it’s the best way to talk and process impressions. For those interested I can prepare a reading list, exhibition suggestions and places to deepen the subject.
Wishing you a meaningful experience, mindful sightseeing and encounters that leave a lasting impression — not only in photos but in memory.
If you’d like, I can prepare a personalized version of this route tailored to your group — tell me the number of people, preferred pace and whether you want to include a mass or celebration during the walk.
