In Kraków’s Zabłocie district, in an industrial area not far from the historical centre, stands a building that tells one of the most touching stories of the Second World War: Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory.
This place, made famous by Steven Spielberg’s film ‘Schindler’s List‘, represents much more than just a museum. It is a tangible testimony to how, even in the darkest moments of human history, the compassion and courage of a single individual can make a difference.
Today, the former factory houses one of the most significant sections of the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow, offering visitors an immersive experience of Krakow under Nazi occupation through a permanent exhibition entitled ‘Krakow under Nazi Occupation 1939-1945’.
The transformation of this industrial space into a modern, interactive museum allows visitors to understand not only the story of Oskar Schindler and his Jewish workers, but also to contextualise these events in the broader landscape of occupied Krakow.
The permanent exhibition is spread over several levels of the building, occupying some 1,300 square metres of exhibition space. The museum route has been masterfully designed to recreate the atmosphere of 1940s Krakow, transporting the visitor on an emotional journey through time. Upon entering the building, one is immediately catapulted into the atmosphere of the time thanks to a faithful reconstruction of the city’s environments and streets during the occupation.
The first impact with the museum is through an entrance hall that preserves original architectural elements of the period. Here, visitors can observe the commemorative plaques and begin to familiarise themselves with the history of the place through introductory panels that contextualise the historical period.
The exhibition route runs through 45 thematic rooms, each of which deals with a specific aspect of life during the Nazi occupation. The rooms have been set up with great attention to detail, using original documents, period photographs, personal items and multimedia installations to create an immersive and engaging experience.
One of the most exciting points of the visit is the reconstruction of Oskar Schindler’s office, maintained in its original condition. Here you can see the period furniture, the original desk and some of the German industrialist’s personal belongings. The room silently tells the story of the crucial decisions that led to the saving of more than 1,100 lives.
Particularly touching is the ‘Hall of Names’, where the names of all the Jews saved by Schindler are displayed. This area of the museum represents a moment of deep reflection, allowing visitors to confront the human dimension of history through the preserved identities of the rescued people.
The museum makes skilful use of modern technology to tell the story. Interactive screens, projections and sound installations help create an immersive atmosphere that helps visitors better understand the everyday reality of occupied Krakow.
A large section is dedicated to the photographic documentation of the period, with rare and often unpublished images showing life in the Krakow ghetto, working conditions in the factory and crucial moments of the Nazi occupation of the city.
Along the route, numerous personal objects that belonged to both Jewish workers and citizens of Krakow during the occupation are displayed. These exhibits, ranging from identity documents to personal belongings, make it possible to establish direct contact with the lives of the people who lived through those traumatic events.
The museum offers various types of discounted tickets (students, family, seniors, disabled) and it is free for children under 7 years of age.
Due to the high attendance, especially during the peak tourist season (April-October), it is strongly recommended to book tickets in advance.
The museum offers guided tours in several languages. The guides are highly qualified and provide historical and contextual insights that greatly enrich the visiting experience. Guided tours must be booked in advance and have an additional cost to the entrance fee.
A visit to Schindler’s Factory is a profound and moving experience that takes time to fully assimilate. It is advisable to spend at least two hours exploring the museum, although many visitors choose to spend half a day there in order to delve into every aspect of the exhibition.
The tour is well organised and follows a chronological order that helps visitors to understand the evolution of historical events. The signage is clear and information is available in several languages, making the experience accessible to an international audience.
Schindler’s Factory is located in the Zabłocie district on the right bank of the Vistula River. It is easily accessible from Krakow’s Old Town by tram number 24, which stops right in front of the museum, or lines 11 and 13, which stop nearby. For those who prefer to walk, the museum is about a 30-minute walk from the Market Square (Rynek Główny).
The district of Zabłocie, once an industrial area, is undergoing an interesting urban transformation. In the vicinity of the museum there are cafés, restaurants and contemporary art galleries worth a visit. The nearby MOCAK (Museum of Contemporary Art in Kraków) offers an interesting contrast to the historical dimension of Schindler’s Factory.
The museum is fully accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. There are lifts and ramps to reach all levels of the exhibition. The staff is trained to assist visitors with special needs.