Communist Kraków – Nowa Huta

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Basic Information
Short Description
A tour of Krakow's communist Nowa Huta district, 5 kilometres from the city centre. You will learn how communism started in Poland, why Poles were not keen on it, how they resisted and how communism in Poland eventually collapsed. We will also explain to you what everyday life was like in the "people's democracies"
Total time
2 h 30 min
Language
English, Spanish, German, Polish (check the booking calendar for availability)
Price
„Pay what you wish” tours do not have a fixed price. It is up to you to evaluate your guide’s work and reward it. Some people give 10€, others 50€ depending on their satisfaction and abilities.
Meeting point
Plac Centralny (in the middle of the Central Square). Look for the guide with yellow umbrella or Walkative! sign.Go to map
Ending point
Arka Pana church
Additional info
♿️Suitable for people with reduced mobility.
This tour is provided by

About

Those were the days when Kraków’s veins were running with coal and steel and the glorious, royal past of the city didn’t matter anymore. The world was on the eve of the Cold War and Nowa Huta, the communist district of Kraków, was built to fight and resist it. 


Visit with us Nowa Huta, one of the two still existing ideal communist cities in the world and get a chance to see the representative part of Nowa Huta – monumental Central Square and the Avenue of Roses, enter the ‘Ark of Lord’ church, a symbol of spiritual resistance of Catholic workers against the communist party will.


An ideal communist city, monumental and grand was built in a country that had just started to raise itself from the rubble of World War II. But, for the Communist Party, the costs of its construction were meaningless. Tangible proof of communist power was the only thing that mattered.


This ideal city, where religion was replaced with communist propaganda was supposed to be inhabited by ideal communist citizens: Homo Sovieticus. A new and better type of people, obedient, brainwashed and entirely devoted to the system. They were to replace the old chaotic, stubborn, free-willed and creative Homo Sapiens. But, nothing lasts forever. Eventually, the creatures turned against their masters. The people of Nowa Huta revolted and fought for freedom.


Join us and we will tell you the story of a heroic struggle of Polish workers, initiators of great strikes and protests that eventually started the fall of a Communist Block, and the beginnings of the biggest social movement of all times – Solidarity. All this in the surroundings of one of the best examples of an ideal communist city, which today, surprisingly, has so much to offer. 


During this tour, you will see:



  • monumental Centralny (Central) Square – the heart of Nowa Huta

  • the representative Avenue of Roses

  • the site of the assassination attempt on the… statue of Lenin

  • the most famous Kraków cross for which the proletariat fought

  • ‘Ark of Lord’ church, a symbol of spiritual resistance of Catholic workers against the communist party, and modernist masterpiece

  • and much more…!


Meeting Point
Plac Centralny (in the middle of the Central Square). Look for the guide with yellow umbrella or Walkative! sign.

BOOKING RULES
Our pay as you wish tours are designed for individual travellers and small groups. We don’t accept parties of more than 7 people on them. If you travel in a party of 8 or more (school groups, bigger groups of friends etc.), please choose a paid option, if it's available, or book a Private Tour. For more information on the latter, please contact us.



A greatly enriching experience !

Rated 5.0 out of 5
2 months ago

Damian was a fantastic guide and allowed us to learn a lot about the story of Nowa Huta, but also way more. He covered many topics, explaining us elements related to history, politics, architecture, religion, culture, very passionately and with a great sense of humor.

He was very attentive to the needs of the group and it was a very pleasing experience, time. I really recommend this visit to anyone interested to learn more about the communist past of Krakow !

Julie

Tour por Nova Huta un descubrimiento

Rated 5.0 out of 5
5 months ago

No había oido de Nova Huta y fue un verdadero acierto. Una perspectiva distinta de una ciudad como Cracovia dada por un guía excelente, muy buen conocedor de la historia, como MAx. Un verdadero acierto

Patricia

Imprescindible!

Rated 5.0 out of 5
8 months ago

De la mà de la Victòria hem recorregut aquest barri/altre món de Cracòvia per descobrir un comunisme divers. Molt recomanable i amb unes explicacions interessants i amenes.

Francesca

A brilliant experience

Rated 5.0 out of 5
10 months ago

We’d never heard of Nowa Huta, so it was a wonderful surprise to hear all about it from the very friendly, amusing and very knowledgeable guide, Damien. Would highly recommend.

The Johnsons

So interesting

Rated 5.0 out of 5
10 months ago

We’d never heard of Nowa Huta so Damien’s tour was so interesting. Couldn’t recommend too highly.

Damien was incredibly knowledgeable and amusing. A great experience.

The Johnsons


This tour is also available as
a Private Tour.

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