This tour is also available as
a Private Tour.
Without Kazimierz, the Jewish world would be as empty as a body without a soul. In a different time, in a different Kazimierz, Moses Isserles (the Remuh), one of the greatest Jewish scholars to ever live, said: “The aim of man is to search for the cause and the meaning of things”. Let’s follow his advice and go deeper into the history of the Jewish presence in Kraków.
Jews have lived in Poland for nearly a millennium. In the Middle Ages, the country became known for its religious tolerance and gave Jews an unprecedented degree of social autonomy. Expelled and suffering persecutions in many other European countries, Jews flocked to Poland and the population grew rapidly. Jewish culture and learning flourished in Kazimierz. By the mid-16th century, it was the most significant center of Jewish life in the world. Even today, Jews from all over the world travel to Kazimierz and Poland to find their family, cultural and spiritual roots. By the end of the 1930s, the Jewish community of Kraków constituted about 25% of the city’s population. Just like everyone else, Jewish Cracovians had their hopes, dreams, ideas and plans for the future. All of them were crushed by the war and the occupation. The streets of the former Kraków ghetto bear witness to the desperate struggle to survive, and the destruction of Kraków’s Jewish community.
Today’s Kazimierz is a very peculiar place. During the tour, you can experience many contradictory emotions all at once: joy at discovering the rich history, culture and traditions of Polish Jewry; sadness and nostalgia for the lost, pre-war world; excitement at witnessing the rebirth of Jewish life here. The uniqueness of Kazimierz can be measured by one more thing: its amazing transition from the worst slum in Kraków to the most vibrant and hip district of the city where the lights never go out.
On this 2 hours’ 30 minutes FREE Walkative! TOUR you will see and discover:
Final point: Plac Bohaterów Getta (Ghetto Heroes Square)
After walking around Jewish district and the former ghetto we recommend taking Schindler’s Factory and Communist Kraków – Nowa Huta tours to understand history of Kraków better!
This tour describes the crimes of the Nazi Germans during the war and the terrible fate of Kraków Jews. In order to get to know this grim chapter of history better it is necessary to visit the former Nazi camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.
I booked the afternoon tour on Sat 27th April and cannot recommend it highly enough,. Max was an engaging guide whose knowledge of the history and experiences of the Jewish community in Krakow was phenomenal, so much information packed into 2.5 hours and Max pitched it perfectly, with just the right blend of solemnity, humour and enthusiasm. I found this company completely by accident and am so glad I did. Thanks to Max for a wonderful experience!
We did the Jewish quarter tour with magda today, we learned a lot from her! She was lovely and friendly. We came across the tour by accident and really glad we joined!
My parents and I did a tour of the old Jewish quarter and the ghetto area. Big Tom was incredibly knowledgeable and at the same time very entertaining and professional. He was very considerate towards the whole group and ensured that those of us who wanted shade to stay hidden from the sun and those who wanted a tan were still able to hear all the fascinating information he happily shared. Also, Big Tom kept the atmosphere light even though the overall topic can be intense at times. My family and I will always remember this wonderful tour.
Mitchell was a brilliant guide who kept us engaged throughout this tour. Lots of interesting stories that brought the topic to life.
This is our second tour with this amazing nolegable, funny historian guide.
We had a great time, learned a lot, and definitely recommend to tour with Big Tom
This tour is also available as
a Private Tour.
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