Jewish Heritage and World War II History Tour in Wrocław
A historical tour focused on Wrocław’s Jewish heritage and WWII: we trace the Haskalah legacy, Nazi persecution, and postwar revival beginning at the Fredro Statue, then continue through Pokoyhof Passage, Freedom Square, Salt Square, as well as the Four Denominations District, and the White Stork Synagogue.
Basic Information
Total time
2h
Language
English, Spanish (check the calendar for availability)
Price
Our “Pay What You Wish” tours don’t have a fixed price — you decide how much the experience was worth. At the end of the tour, please make a fair contribution that reflects your satisfaction and appreciation for your guide’s work. Most guests give between €10 and €50 per person.
Meeting point
Aleksander Fredro’s statue, Market Square Nearest public transport: Oławska tram stop; Zamkowa tram stop
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Walkative Wrocław guides. Look for the guide with the yellow umbrella.
♿️ Tour suitable for people with reduced mobility and strollers
❗Our tours run in all weather conditions. High or low temperatures, rain, or snow are never a reason for us to cancel. We’re always here for you! The only reasons for cancellation are extreme weather conditions (such as heavy storms), a guide’s sudden illness, or if there are fewer than 5 registered participants. In such cases, we will always notify you using the contact information you provided when booking the tour.Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our “Pay What You Wish” tours are meant for individual travellers and small groups. Large groups (8 or more people) cannot join these tours, as they significantly affect the experience for others and the guide. For school trips, organised tours, or groups of friends, please book our paid option (18€ per person) or arrange a Private Tour. For more information or to schedule a group visit, please contact us directly.
About the tour
Wrocław lies in the very heart of Europe. For centuries, it was one of the main centers of Jewish life in Central Europe. Jews alongside Protestants, Catholics and Orthodox Christians were shaping the prosperity of what was one of the richest cities in the German Empire. Though expelled in the Middle Ages, they returned and 19th-century Wrocław became a major center of Haskalah, the Jewish enlightenment, a movement that changed Judaism forever. Without the generations of rabbis from Wrocław it would be simply impossible to describe modern Judaism.
This diverse and rich world came to a sudden end in the 1930s when the Nazis took over. Humiliated and persecuted, the Jews of Wrocław soon shared the fate of other European Jews murdered by the Germans and their accomplices during the Holocaust. But the tides of war changed and in 1945 the Third Reich crumbled in the face of the ferocious and bloodthirsty Red Army. Adolf Hitler ordered Wrocław to be turned into a Festung – a fortress to guard the dream of the thousand-year Reich till the last drop of blood and the last bullet. As a result, the city has become the scene of one of the most fierce urban battles of World War II, eventually falling to the Allies even later than Berlin itself.
Join us to learn about Wrocław’s Jewish past and present and the destruction of the city at the end of WWII. Walk through the most interesting area in the city center – the four denominations district. Discover a place where you can not only learn about Wrocław’s long and fascinating history, but also witness the cultural revival and changes that happened here in the last 20 years.
Highlights
- 1
Jewish Heritage
Discover the history of one of Central Europe's most important centers of Jewish life and culture.
- 2
Four Denominations District
Walk through a unique area where four different religions have their temples in close proximity.
- 3
Festung Breslau
Learn about the fierce WWII siege that left the city in ruins at the end of the war.
- 4
White Stork Synagogue
Visit the city's main synagogue, a symbol of the revival of Jewish life in Wrocław.
- 5
Salt Square
Stroll through a historic market square adjacent to the Rynek, known for its 24-hour flower market.
- 6
Historic Passages
Explore hidden courtyards like Pokoyhof and Niepold, revealing the city's unique urban fabric and secrets.
- 7
Franckel Foundation
See the site of the former Jewish Theological Seminary, a key center for the Jewish enlightenment.
Map
Aleksander Fredro’s statue, Market Square Nearest public transport: Oławska tram stop; Zamkowa tram stop
Our customers said about us
Wroclaw
5.0Antoine
Szymon the Great
First, his fast talking can be a surprise but then, you become even more surprised to understand everything, like if it was a trick to keep you focused. The narrative is great, mix of personal and common History. Szymon is inhabited by his city and gives you a unique tour of his own garden. It could have last the whole day,
Wroclaw
5.0Lisa
Shimon was great - highly recommend this tour
We booked this tour whilst on the old town tour with Shimon. He was such a great guide, full of balanced views and he knows his stuff! It was a hot day, but Shimon went to all the shaded areas and made the tour a rich learning experience. Do yourself a favour and book this tour!
Wroclaw
5.0Peter and Eda
Wroclaw tour with Adam
Very informative tour with Adam who was a very engaging guide. He provided deep insight and actively encouraged questions and debate. Knowledgeable, personable and passionate about his subject.
Wroclaw
5.0Gabriele Bruhn
The Jewish Quarter in Wroclaw
On May 13, Zuza introduced us to Wroclaw's Jewish history. With great enthusiasm and knowledge, we walked through the former Jewish quarter, discovering new things and learning many stories about the buildings and life here. Thank you very much, it's worth immersing yourself in this period of Wroclaw; I highly recommend it.
Wroclaw
5.0Claire
Very informative and interesting tour
Had an excellent tour with Michael and learnt a lot of the history of Jews in Poland and Wroclaw through the centuries, including really interesting cultural and political information. We visited interesting parts of the city and found out how it was affected by WW2 during and after and as always the tour guides are so knowledgeable you learn so much more than expected.
Wroclaw
5.0Mr Mrs Hill
Great tour recommended
Our guide was Michael. It was a very snowy, windy and cold January day but we had an excellent tour. Very informative and we were able to ask questions and learn even more. Brilliant tours recommended!
Wroclaw
5.0Die Potsdamer
Tolle Tour mit Adam
Sehr engagierte Tour durch Breslau, unbedingt empfehlenswert.
Wroclaw
5.0Steve Doherty
Old Town tour
Simon is an excellent tour guide. Very knowledgeable and funny. Also gives great foodie recommendations. Excellent tour
Wroclaw
5.0Lisa
Interesting tour about jewish history in Wroclaw
It was very interesting tour. Learnt a lot of interesting facts about jewish history Highly recomend this tour and any other tour Walkative has to offer!
Wroclaw
5.0Margret
Jewish quarter and ...
Amazing lecture and very interesting places to see.
