Podgórze
4
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4.0
106 reviews
Excellent
46
Very good
42
Average
14
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Neil K
Liverpool, UK829,080 contributions
Aug 2022 • Friends
Crossing over one of the bridges into the Podgorze District from the Kazimierz District you're in an area that witnessed the most horrors in Krakow during World War Two .
Podgorze roughly translates as " foothills " ,very appropriate as this is Krakow's greenest area's ,there's wooded area's and cliffs offering great views of the city .
During World War Two the occupying German Army forced the Jewish population into this area ,the Ghetto saw 1000's upon 1000's of the Jewish population deported to death camps from this area ,it's a must go district if you're in Krakow to find out more about the plight of the Jewish people in Krakow during those dark and horrific days .
The area offers so much to see and enjoy ,crossing over the beautiful Bernateks Footbridge offers great views of the River Vistula and brings you into Podgorze,lots of interest here ,great architecture especially down Ulica Jozefindmska ,Eagle Pharmacy Building ,Plac Bohaterow ( Ghetto Heroes Square ) m Ghetto Wall segments ,Rynek Podgorski ,St Josephs Church ,Schindlers Factory ,fascinating places to visit and don't forget the nightlife scene here ,it's now a trendy district to visit,great cafés,bars,pubs and restaurants ,all in all it's a great area of the city to visit if you're planning on visiting Krakow.
Podgorze roughly translates as " foothills " ,very appropriate as this is Krakow's greenest area's ,there's wooded area's and cliffs offering great views of the city .
During World War Two the occupying German Army forced the Jewish population into this area ,the Ghetto saw 1000's upon 1000's of the Jewish population deported to death camps from this area ,it's a must go district if you're in Krakow to find out more about the plight of the Jewish people in Krakow during those dark and horrific days .
The area offers so much to see and enjoy ,crossing over the beautiful Bernateks Footbridge offers great views of the River Vistula and brings you into Podgorze,lots of interest here ,great architecture especially down Ulica Jozefindmska ,Eagle Pharmacy Building ,Plac Bohaterow ( Ghetto Heroes Square ) m Ghetto Wall segments ,Rynek Podgorski ,St Josephs Church ,Schindlers Factory ,fascinating places to visit and don't forget the nightlife scene here ,it's now a trendy district to visit,great cafés,bars,pubs and restaurants ,all in all it's a great area of the city to visit if you're planning on visiting Krakow.
Written 15 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sophie M
Paris, France530 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
I definitely recommend that you visit the area. If you go to the tourist information point, they have free books about Krakow which include self guided tours there, which is what we did. It will take you all the way to the Krakus Mound and Plascow. Otherwise, you might want to consider getting a tour guide.
You should watch Schindler's List before you go. The movie was shot there and you will understand the events more.
You should watch Schindler's List before you go. The movie was shot there and you will understand the events more.
Written 26 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tomek Darda
Krakow, Poland125 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
Most of foreign tourists only concentrate on the wartime history of Podgórze, when it was made into Jewish ghetto by the German Nazis. Thsi part of history shall never be forgotten, but using the fact that it has already beend described by the other reviewers I'd like to write a few words about Podgórze as a place. Part of the historical Kraków, Podgórze used to be a separate town in its own right for almost one and a half century. It is a charming part of Kraków, located at the foot of the green hill, Krzemionki. It boasts wonderful green areas (i.a. old Bednarski Park placed in the unused quarry), one of the oldest churches in Kraków (St. Benedict), imposing Austrian fort (also named after Benedict), the oldest man-built construction of Kraków (The Krak Mound, listed on TripAdvisor as a separate attraction), a wonderful neo-gothic church of St. Joseph (check out why it is nicknamed "St. Disney!), many small shops and bars. All this without touristy feel. This area feels like a small town (with its all main market square, Rynek Podgórski) at the river, so close to grandiose Kraków but a the same time so wonderfully undiscovered. Check it out for the ghetto history, but stay there for the natural, unspoilt beauty not connected to WW2.
Written 19 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John L
Grand Bend, Canada2,180 contributions
July 2013 • Solo
While nearby Kasimierz (the traditional Jewish section of Krakow) has emerged as a vital and 'happening' area in recent years (no doubt substantially assisted by the release of Shindler's List), the said cannot be said of Podgorze. No trendy nightclubs or restaurants here! But something even better ... lots of history and atmosphere. The free walking tour was excellent, but I came back on my own several times. I was warned it was not 'the best' part of town ... and I can see why, as there are many run down or nondescript buildings. This is tourist trap filled with souvenir stands and bustling shutterbugs. As far as I was concerned, these factors were all to the good. There is an understated and moving combination of period artifacts and modern memorials. I visited the Monument to the Heroes, the building which the Gestapo used as a check point; the location where the original gates were located, the Old Synagogue, the Eagle Pharmacy, and a portion of the former ghetto wall. Although overshadowed by Kasimierz and largely ignored by tourists and locals, this raw and melanchony area screams history to those who choose to listen..
Written 31 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LaNyonsaise
West Midlands, UK1,038 contributions
June 2013 • Couples
Taking the tram across the bridge from Kazimierz and alighting at Plac Bohaterow Getta the first thing to notice is the sculpture, a series of chairs representing the deportation from the ghetto and the belongings that were left behind. On the square is the small museum, the Pharmacy Under the Eagle, which was staffed by Poles who were allowed to continue dispensing medicine to the Jews of the ghetto despite other clandestine support being dispensed too.
Across the road and tram lines (subway available) signs point to the museum in the Schindler factory which is described elsewhere.
Proceed up the hill walking away from the river for 5 minutes on the major road Limanowskiego Street. On the right side of the road is a school marked number 62. On the left hand side of the school is a gate which leads to a small neighbourhood park at the foot of a quarry. A stretch of ghetto wall has been restored immediately behind the playground. If you come to the flyover across the road you have walked too far.
A further stretch of ghetto wall is close by on Lwowska Street numbers 25-29.
The area has been sadly neglected with crumbling old buildings, small wooden kiosks, derelict industrial premises and communist style apartment blocks and you can sense that history was made in these streets. However, there are signs that this may change with the newly built apartments (near the Schindler factory) and a new riverside hotel. Rattly old trams share the same lines as sleek new Bombardier models. It would be interesting to return in 5 years time to see how the area may have changed.
Across the road and tram lines (subway available) signs point to the museum in the Schindler factory which is described elsewhere.
Proceed up the hill walking away from the river for 5 minutes on the major road Limanowskiego Street. On the right side of the road is a school marked number 62. On the left hand side of the school is a gate which leads to a small neighbourhood park at the foot of a quarry. A stretch of ghetto wall has been restored immediately behind the playground. If you come to the flyover across the road you have walked too far.
A further stretch of ghetto wall is close by on Lwowska Street numbers 25-29.
The area has been sadly neglected with crumbling old buildings, small wooden kiosks, derelict industrial premises and communist style apartment blocks and you can sense that history was made in these streets. However, there are signs that this may change with the newly built apartments (near the Schindler factory) and a new riverside hotel. Rattly old trams share the same lines as sleek new Bombardier models. It would be interesting to return in 5 years time to see how the area may have changed.
Written 23 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
June A
Surrey, UK2,754 contributions
Oct 2015 • Solo
This is an often forgotten corner of Krakow, which most visitors give little more than a cursory glance. Because of this it is much quieter, without the crowds of tourists, talking in all different languages and perhaps more authentically Polish. The majority of course come to visit Schindlers Factory, but there is far more to this area than just one Museum, important and interesting as it may be.
Podgorze, which was of course once home to the Polish ghetto is approached via a bridge across the Vistula river. While some indeed most would choose to use the tram, it is altogether better in my opinion to walk, although for those who are less used to walking than I am, it is a bit of a trek from downtown.
Podgorze may lack the ambience and the bustling atmosphere of the more modern Jewish area of Kazimerz across the river but it more than makes up for it with its historical signifance. Across the road from the tram stops where one alights, is the Plac Bohaterow Getta, otherwise known as the Heroes of Ghetto Square. This is a moving monument to those killed during the liquidation of the ghetto in the form of 70 randomly spaced empty chairs shaped from bronze. This is a testament to all that remained, a square with empty furniture after that event.
In the corner of the Square sits the Eagle Pharmacy which is well worth a visit, and a short walk away on nearby Lwowska is one of the few remaining segments of what was once the Ghetto wall.
The other main reason for visiting this area is of course Plaszow concentration camp the remains of which sit on the outskirts of this area, a 15 minute walk from the Square. While it is true that there is little to see here now, is it nevertheless an atmospheric place of great importance and well worth a visit.
While Podgorze is somewhat lacking in atmosphere compared to Kazimerz, having a more industrialised feel, this is in some ways a reflection of its roots and you should not let this put you off. There are several restaurants and cafes in the area where one can partake of coffee and lunch, most of which are inexpensive even by Krakow standards and it is well worth a day or even half a day of your time.
Podgorze, which was of course once home to the Polish ghetto is approached via a bridge across the Vistula river. While some indeed most would choose to use the tram, it is altogether better in my opinion to walk, although for those who are less used to walking than I am, it is a bit of a trek from downtown.
Podgorze may lack the ambience and the bustling atmosphere of the more modern Jewish area of Kazimerz across the river but it more than makes up for it with its historical signifance. Across the road from the tram stops where one alights, is the Plac Bohaterow Getta, otherwise known as the Heroes of Ghetto Square. This is a moving monument to those killed during the liquidation of the ghetto in the form of 70 randomly spaced empty chairs shaped from bronze. This is a testament to all that remained, a square with empty furniture after that event.
In the corner of the Square sits the Eagle Pharmacy which is well worth a visit, and a short walk away on nearby Lwowska is one of the few remaining segments of what was once the Ghetto wall.
The other main reason for visiting this area is of course Plaszow concentration camp the remains of which sit on the outskirts of this area, a 15 minute walk from the Square. While it is true that there is little to see here now, is it nevertheless an atmospheric place of great importance and well worth a visit.
While Podgorze is somewhat lacking in atmosphere compared to Kazimerz, having a more industrialised feel, this is in some ways a reflection of its roots and you should not let this put you off. There are several restaurants and cafes in the area where one can partake of coffee and lunch, most of which are inexpensive even by Krakow standards and it is well worth a day or even half a day of your time.
Written 25 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fr0gemax
Wycombe117 contributions
Stopped here during a tour and I must say it was so moving and I became quite emotional! The site of the pharmacy and the empty chairs is just very touching. At the time of the visit I was reading Oskar Schindlar's biography so the street names and buildings made it very poignant. If the history of the jews is of interest to you, the you MUST come here.
Written 12 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
number1leadman
Lincoln, UK402 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
A walk around Podgorze doesn’t reveal what went on there during WW2 when the entire Jewish community was rounded up and crammed into what was called the Podgorze Ghetto. There are still bits of the wall let standing and you can find them on Lwowska Street and another section is in a child’s play area. In this play area there is a small path way to the left hand side and this can be a bit slippery if wet. The climb is well worth it. Walking through a wooden pathway you will stumble on the ruins of Fort Benedict an impressive two-storey brick artillery tower in the shape of a sixteen-sided polygon At the moment all you can do is just walk around as it remains impenetrable to tourists but hopefully will be restored to its former glory. There is also the remains of the Plaszow concentration camp where many of the Jewish residents were forced to work to their death. A slow meander around this district one can only imagine what life was like both before and after the Germans arrived.
Written 15 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taff_Traveller2014
Aberdare, UK602 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
...but rapidly becoming "New". Provided you can walk and read, don't bother with a tour, just wander on your own and soak it up.
Evocative place, but remember that life goes on for the current residents and that the increase in tourism and gentrification of the area may not have beneficial effects for all concerned.
Evocative place, but remember that life goes on for the current residents and that the increase in tourism and gentrification of the area may not have beneficial effects for all concerned.
Written 26 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JohnNYPD2014
London, UK41 contributions
July 2014 • Solo
JEWISH GHETTO. You can walk from the Schindler Factory to the Jewish Ghetto along ul. Lipowa.Buy a copy of the Krakow Ghetto map at the factory. Starting in October 1941 the Jewish population were forced into a ghetto in the Podgorze part of the city. I would recommend visiting here before visiting Auschwitz and Birkenau as you can see the cramped last places where these terrorised people lived before the further horror of the camps. Pause at the site of the massacre at Plac Zgody (Plac Bohaterow). Use the Ghetto Map to visit some of the main buildings and sites of inhumanity.
Written 20 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ciao mi chiamo Silvia e le mie prossime vacanze le trascorrerò a Cracovia volevo chiedere se sapete dirmi la distanza da Podgorze al centro della città Grazie
Written 27 June 2015
La distanza è di pochi chilometri. Si arriva in 15 minuti a piedi oppure comodamente in tram.
Written 28 June 2015
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