Sightseeing of Cracow

Old Town and Wawel Hill walking tour

Any exploration of the Cracow’s Old Town should start with the Royal Route – the historical coronation path of Polish kings. The most recognizable and iconic sites and monuments lay along this route from Florian’s Gate to Wawel Castle.

You will see the perfectly preserved Barbican, remnants of the medieval city defensive walls with the famous Florian’s Gate, the Main Market Square – the largest medieval square in Europe with its highlights such as the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica and the Town Hall Tower as well as the nearby Latin District with beautiful Collegium Maius – the oldest university building in Poland. On our way to the Castle you will also see – among others – the Bishops’ Palace and the famous “pope’s window” connected with John Paul II.

Finally, we will reach the Wawell Hill with the royal castle and the Royal Cathedral – the most important church in the country. A mausoleum o Polish kings and queens, a burial place of the most important national heroes, bishops and saints. The Cathedral also used to be a coronation place for the vast majority of our monarchs.

The adjacent Royal Castle with its stunning inner courtyard, designed by Italian masters is one of the greatest achievements of Renaissance art in Middle Europe.

Jewish Quarter – the traces of Jewish culture

The former Jewish district – Kazimierz – used to be inhabited by Cracow’s Jews for over 500 years. After Prague’s Josefov, Kazimierz is the second biggest historical site of Jewish architecture in Europe. Neglected after World War II now it’s regaining its former status of a vibrant, lively place. Well-preserved synagogues, historical cemeteries, museums presenting Jewish heritage, possibility of taking part in a kosher Shabbat supper in Jewish Community Centre in an international environment, Klezmer music concerts…These are just a few of numerous reasons why The Jewish Quarter is an essential point of interest for visitors.
Apart from that, Kazimierz is the heart of Cracow’s bohemians and artistic life. It boasts dozens of pubs and cafes embodying the spirit of pre-war timelessness and perfectly capturing the smoky, sepia candlelight, vintage photographs and antique intrigues of the former Jewish district.

Oskar Schindler’s and “Schindler’s List” tour

The film “Schindler’s List” by Steven Spielberg was shot mostly in Poland in 1993 and evoked memories of the German occupation and the fate of the Jewish community in Cracow and a non-Jew who saved over a thousand of them from death.

On our route we will see places connected with Oskar Schindler, with the film rewarded with seven Oscars and with the World War II in Cracow.

The highlight of this sightseeing of Cracow will be the former administrative building of Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory at 4 Lipowa Street. The facility has recently been transformed into a new branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Cracow, one of the most state-of-art museums in Poland. Not only is the exhibition connected with Oskar Schindler and his Jews, it also presents the city of Cracow under Nazi occupation during the war.

Pope tour – following footsteps of John Paul II

John Paul II has been acclaimed as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. It is believed that he was instrumental in ending communism in his native Poland and eventually all of Europe as well as significantly improving the Catholic Church’s relations with Islam, Judaism and the Eastern Orthodox Church.

And he was very strongly connected with Cracow, not only as the Cracow bishop and cardinal, but also as a student of the Jagiellonian University, during the war – a forced manual laborer in a limestone quarry, an actor of an conspiracy theatre and finally – a pilgrim as the Pope. We will see places connected directly with John Paul II with good background of Polish history and Catholic Church and a great deal of curiosities and anecdotes. You will have the opportunity to discover afresh the person of the Polish Pope and his message.

Cracow ghetto and Plaszow Concentration Camp

The former ghetto of Cracow with its history is one of the symbols of the Holocaust and its remnants are the relics of the most horrific atrocities committed by the Nazis during World War II. During our walk we will see the preserved fragments of the ghetto walls, shaped like a series of Jewish gravestones and the Concord Square – the point of departure for all deportations to the gas chambers in death camps, now adorned with an unusual monument – a real food for thought.

After visiting the Eagle Pharmacy Museum there will be the time for the Płaszów Concentration Camp, particularly known for its brutal commandant Amon Goeth, whose residence altogether with some more relics of those cruel time – are still there.

Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy in Łagiewniki

Pope John Paul II called the Sanctuary the world centre of Divine Mercy veneration. Nowadays, it is a destination of pilgrimages from all over the world. Pilgrims come pray at the relics of St. Faustina and to venerate the miraculous Image of the Divine Mercy, originating from her private vision of Christ. The image represents the crucified and risen Christ who brings man peace and salvation, but the most important part of the painting is the signature: “Jesus, I trust you.”

You will see the old, historical as well as the new ─ modern part of the Sanctuary, the grave of St. Faustina, her relics and above all – the painting in an enormous basilica. There will be time for individual prayer in a chapel of perpetual adoration, but we will also show you a beautiful panorama from the vantage point at the top of the basilica’s tower.

Communism Tour – Nowa Huta

Time for something totally different from the old, antique Cracow. Nowa Huta (New Steelworks) is its youngest and biggest district, built soon after the Second World War as the symbol of new, communist authorities and political system. The whole district was designed to become a “perfect city” of social realism, city without God and churches, but with the huge monument of Vladimir Lenin. However, the workers of the steelworks, who had been the hope of the communist party, soon turned out to be the biggest troublemakers, finally taking part in famous Solidarity movement.

You will see the relics of that gloomy time in Polish history. We will show not only buildings of all the epochs of post-war architecture and interesting churches that eventually were built there, but also some everyday life: a tank in the middle of the street, a legendary milk bar with the atmosphere of bygone times and a raid shelter just next to the playground… And you will love or hate Nowa Huta, but for sure, you won’t stay indifferent.

CITY GAME

Are you bored with conventional sightseeing with a tour guide? Would you dare to discover a real face of Cracow and feel the thrill of excitement? Not only do you want to learn about history, but also you would like to create it? Our city game… It’s time to enter the game!

Our city game is the most creative and innovatory way of sightseeing Cracow, the city, that provides a perfect background for unique sightseeing in adventurous style. Cracow will serve us as a game board. Old walls, hiding plenty of secrets, enchanting and atmospheric hidden yards and narrow streets full of nooks and crannies will give you the opportunity to use your imagination. Solving riddles and discovering secrets, finding lost artifacts, reading mysterious maps, deciphering codes, Latin and Hebrew inscriptions and talking to accidentally encountered historical characters will give you the opportunity to cooperate with your colleagues in a new way. You will get a great deal of team building, daring exploit, integration and education, ensuring best memories possible!

You will also discover the unknown face of Cracow, exploring interesting interiors of magnetic pubs, antique shops, alluring cafes, hidden church niches and relics of old times. Moreover, you will hear unknown legends and old traditions whispered by the old city walls… Impersonating kings, knights, villains and daredevils or other intriguing individuals will give you the possibility to discover not only the spirit of Cracow, but also your hidden talents and the creative side of your personality, stimulating your fantasy and invention.

Our city game guarantees a good deal of positive emotions and unforgettable entertainment for every participant! Every screenplay is unique and prepared especially to comply the demands of your group. Perfect as a company event, ideal for school and youth groups seeking adventure and excitement.