Explore Plaszow, the former Nazi camp, with an expert guide and uncover stories of tragedy, survival, and Oskar Schindler’s legacy.
The tour begins with a walk past Ghetto Heroes Square in the Podgórze district, a site deeply connected to the history of the Kraków Ghetto. Once overlooked after the war, the square was transformed in 2005 into a memorial space. Its distinctive installation of large metal chairs symbolizes forced departures and absence, creating a powerful tribute to the victims of the ghetto.
The experience then continues at the former Plaszow Camp, established in 1942 on the grounds of Jewish cemeteries. Initially a forced-labour camp, it later became a concentration camp where more than 35,000 people were imprisoned and thousands lost their lives. During the guided visit, you will trace the camp’s former layout through surviving elements such as the Grey House, the roll-call area, remnants of key buildings, mass graves, and the Monument of Torn-Out Hearts. An important part of the narrative is the story of Oskar Schindler, who arranged work permits for prisoners registered in Plaszow and later transferred them to his factory, saving more than a thousand lives. With few structures remaining, the site’s power lies in its open space and silence, offering a setting for careful learning, remembrance, and reflection.
Unlike sites with extensive preserved buildings, Plaszow is characterized by vast open areas and silence. With minimal physical remains, it serves as a place of remembrance and reflection, offering a quiet space to acknowledge history and honour those who suffered there.
