Wawel usually makes visitors think of royal chambers, the cathedral and the Sigismund Bell. A few streets to the north-east stands the building at 2 Pomorska Street — the Silesian House, today a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków known as “Ulica Pomorska.” It is a place of memory where the basement still preserves interrogation cells from the occupation period and inscriptions left by prisoners. When you visit Wawel, it’s worth planning a short but meaningful stop at this branch — partly to complete the city’s historical picture and partly to pause and reflect on the fate of Kraków’s residents in the 20th century.
If you plan to walk, a convenient and logical route is: the Main Market or Grodzka Street — walk down to Wawel, see the courtyards and the cathedral (or enter the interiors if you have tickets), then take a short walk along the Vistula boulevards or the Wawel embankments, and finally reach Pomorska Street (near the Silesian House). This loop mixes tourist highlights with moments of quiet and reflection. If you have limited time, start early at Wawel and reserve the afternoon for the Ulica Pomorska museum and a relaxed coffee — this helps avoid the biggest crowds at the castle and makes it easier to find a place to rest.
The Ulica Pomorska branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków focuses on the city’s fate during years of terror (the German occupation and the Stalinist years). In the Silesian House’s basements there are authentic detention cells with visible prisoner inscriptions. Alongside the permanent exhibition the museum organises remembrance events, including annual Days of Remembrance for Gestapo victims, which recall the tragic fate of many residents. Visiting this site adds historical depth to what you experience at Wawel — it moves the story from power and ceremony to the lives of ordinary people in difficult times.
Between Wawel and Pomorska Street there are many pleasant spots to pause. If you want to stay in a historic atmosphere, try Kawiarnia Pod Wawelem (near Grodzka Street/by the castle) or the Wawel company shop and café close to the castle — convenient for a quick boost before continuing your walk. For views of the Vistula, the café at the Manggha Museum with its riverside terrace is a lovely choice. In Kazimierz and nearby you’ll find cosy places such as Mleczarnia and several local patisseries that often serve good coffee and homemade cakes. If you prefer green spaces, the Wawel embankments and the Vistula Boulevards have benches and lawns ideal for a short rest or a picnic.
Wawel has several exhibition routes — the cathedral, royal chambers, the treasury and the crypts — each with its own entry rules and tickets. If you plan to visit interiors, check availability and buy tickets in advance, especially in high season. Parking around the Old Town and Wawel is within paid zones; consider underground car parks (for example near Groble) or parking a little further away and walking in to avoid long searches for a space. The Ulica Pomorska museum has limited basement space, so groups and organised tours should check opening hours and possible reservations. If you arrive on a day of remembrance or an official ceremony, check the event calendar in advance — processions or commemorations may change access and traffic.
When visiting sites connected with repression — such as the cells on Pomorska Street — keep silence and respect the exhibited relics and inscriptions. Photography may be allowed but not always — check the rules at the museum. Basement cells are claustrophobic and can evoke strong emotions; plan a short outdoor break after you exit, drink some water and give yourself a moment to collect your thoughts. For families with children, consider in advance whether the exhibition’s content might be too difficult for the youngest visitors.
After sightseeing, choose places with good reviews and friendly service. Around Wawel and the Old Town you’ll find restaurants serving traditional Polish and international dishes — look for venues with recent, positive ratings. For a simple local meal, try small restaurants along the Royal Route or in Kazimierz — quality is often higher and prices friendlier than right on the market square. After visiting Pomorska Street, enjoy a coffee in one of the recommended cafés or sit on the Vistula Boulevards with a sandwich or a dessert from a nearby patisserie.
First, don’t leave Wawel tickets to the last minute — especially in season, this is a quick path to disappointment. Second, avoid packing too many attractions into one day without breaks — Wawel and places of memory need time and reflection, so alternate visits with coffee and downtime. Third, don’t ignore rules of remembrance and silence in museums like Pomorska — treat these places with proper respect. Finally, don’t rely solely on online maps for opening hours — always verify up-to-date information before you leave.
The Silesian House at 2 Pomorska Street was built in 1931–1936 as accommodation for pupils and students from Silesia — hence its original name. During the war the building was taken over by German police units and became a headquarters where the Gestapo operated; the basement cells preserve prisoner inscriptions that today are one of the most important testimonies of the occupation period. Around Pomorska and Oskar Schindler’s factory a local "Route of Memory" is forming — a less-known but very valuable part of Kraków’s historical landscape.
Will visiting Wawel and Pomorska take a whole day? Not necessarily — if you pick the main attractions and limit time inside the interiors, you can manage in 3–5 hours. Adding Pomorska is a good way to include a memory-focused element without significantly extending your itinerary.
Is the Ulica Pomorska museum suitable for children? The exhibition contains difficult topics, so assess your child’s age and sensitivity. For older teens, the visit offers strong educational value.
Where is the best place to take a break with a view of Wawel? The Vistula Boulevards and the terrace by the Manggha Museum offer nice views and pleasant places to rest.
Wear comfortable shoes — surfaces at Wawel and nearby streets can be uneven. Bring water or plan a short café stop — especially in summer. If you prefer silence and reflection, visit Pomorska outside the main remembrance ceremony dates; if you want to take part in commemorations, check the event dates and join to feel the local dimension of memory. And finally — leave yourself free time: Kraków is best explored slowly, with pauses for conversation and observation.
If you found this article helpful, share it with friends or on social media — it helps others find practical tips. If you would like Wawel, the Royal Route and places of memory to tell their stories in more detail and tailored to your interests, I invite you to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Contact and offer information can be found on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com — with a private guide your visit becomes more personal, comfortable and rich in local anecdotes and historical context. Thank you for reading and enjoy inspiring walks in Kraków!
