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Krakow History School Trips & Tours - The Holocaust

A history school trip to Krakow will provide an in-depth study of the Jewish community in the city, one of the most important centres of Jewish life in pre-war Europe.

The evidence of the wartime experience of the Jewish population in ghettos such as Podgorze, coupled with a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau, will enable pupils to develop a thorough, rounded picture of the experience of Jewish communities and discrimination in central Europe during the 20th century. During a thought-provoking study tour to Krakow with NST, your group will reflect on the religious and cultural life of the community and its ultimate fate.

Sample itinerary

Our sample itinerary provides you with an idea of the visits you can cover during your trip. We can tailor-make an itinerary to support your specific learning outcomes.

Morning Afternoon Evening
1 Flight from Ireland & transfer to accommodation Guided tour of Krakow - Old Town Square, University district, Wawel Hill, Jewish Quarter Free time to explore the old town
2 Full day coach excursion to Auschwitz-Birkenau including a guided tour Visit Park Wodny
3 Kazimierz, Podgorze & The Schindler Museum. Visit to Galicia Museum to meet with a Concentration Camp Survivor. Quiz evening
4 Free time for shopping & sightseeing Transfer to airport for return flight to Ireland
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Morning Flight from Ireland & transfer to accommodation
Afternoon Guided tour of Krakow - Old Town Square, University district, Wawel Hill, Jewish Quarter
Evening Free time to explore the old town
Morning Full day coach excursion to Auschwitz-Birkenau including a guided tour
Afternoon Visit Park Wodny
Evening
Morning Kazimierz, Podgorze & The Schindler Museum. Visit to Galicia Museum to meet with a Concentration Camp Survivor.
Afternoon Quiz evening
Evening
Morning Free time for shopping & sightseeing
Afternoon Transfer to airport for return flight to Ireland
Evening

On-tour support

Get even more from your trip with NST History Educationalist Guide. Contact us for a price.

On-tour support includes...

  • Services of a See Off Representative at your departure airport

Additional on-tour support available...


Accommodation

Popular options in Krakow


Top visits

Kazimierz

This historic Jewish district was left deserted as residents were forced by Nazis to move to the Podgorze ghetto. Visit the old synagogues and the cemetery, as well as iconic Jewish sites and museums.

 

Podgorze

In March 1941, the entire Jewish population of Krakow were crammed into this tiny ghetto as Nazi prejudice took hold. Also the location of Schindler’s Factory, students can explore the ghetto and consider the anti-Semitic events which took place here before large numbers of Jews were sent to labour and death camps.

Galicia Museum

Presenting Jewish history from a new perspective, this private museum celebrates the Jewish culture of Galicia and poignantly commemorates the victims of the Holocaust through its moving photographic exhibition. During your visit, your students can take part in a choice of interactive workshops. 

Meet with a Concentration Camp Survivor or Relative

Groups have the invaluable opportunity to meet and speak with either a concentration camp survivor or a member of a survivor’s family. This is an incredible, poignant chance to hear moving eye-witness testimony and gain first hand insight into life under Nazi rule. Common themes covered often include conflict, prejudice and the values of tolerance and understanding.

Auschwitz-Birkenau

Following the Nazi invasion of Poland in September 1939, Oświęcim was incorporated into the domains of the Third Reich. The town’s name was changed to Auschwitz and it became the largest concentration and death camp. Today, as a museum, Auschwitz serves as a poignant reminder of the horrors of Hitler’s tyranny and Holocaust trip will give students a fuller view of the terrible events and conditions, also allowing consideration of key study themes, including obedience, prejudice, tyranny and much more. 

Auschwitz is a one-hour coach journey from Krakow and is a truly emotive and thought-provoking visit.

 

Wawel Hill

In a fortified position overlooking the river and city are the Castle and Cathedral.

The Old Town Square

Visit Rynek Główny (Town Square), the largest in medieval Europe, Mariacki Church (St Mary’s Church) of Gothic origins with its fine altar, Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) of vast proportions and view the University District and the Collegium Maius - the historic heart of the university area.

Traditional Jewish Restaurant

Enjoy Jewish culture with a traditional Jewish meal at a local restaurant, with a range of delicacies to be experienced, including czulent (bean casserole), knyshe (dumplings) and stuffed gooseneck.

Wieliczka Salt Mine

With a labyrinth of tunnels, Wieliczka Salt Mine is an eerie underworld which has been hand carved from salt blocks. Located 14km south east of Krakow, here your group have the opportunity to view a section of the mine and 22 chambers connected by galleries. A fascinating trip.

Krakow Under Nazi Occupation Museum

Also referred to as the Schindler Museum, this visit not only tells Schindler's story but covers every aspect of the Polish and Polish-Jewish experience of occupation in a way that is hugely relevant to British students. We thoroughly recommend this excellent museum, made famous by Spielberg's film, Schindler's List.

Guided Walking Tour of Old Town

Includes Old Town Square, St John’s Cathedral, the Royal Palace, Monument to the Little Insurgent and the Uprising Memorial.

Guided Walking Tour in the City Centre

Includes Novy Swiat, the Radziwill Palace, the Memorial to Józef Piłsudski, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Saxon Gardens, Marszałkowska and the Palace of Culture and Science.


Evening activites


Study themes

• The Nazis’ racial ideology
• Invasion and division of Poland in 1939
• Nazis’ treatment of Eastern European Jews including the use of ghettos and the Final Solution
• The Nazis’ persecution of other social groups.


Transport

We offer flights from a variety of departure airports and we’ll work with you to plan your route at the best value possible.

Flight


Giving you full support throughout

Before your tour

  • Your own dedicated NST contact
  • Bespoke tour itineraries
  • Unrivalled local knowledge & expertise
  • Curriculum linked visit programmes
  • Great value for money - no hidden costs
  • Free group leader inspection visits
  • Risk assessment guidance
  • Safety assured, transport, accommodation and visits

Whilst you're away

  • Free educational resources
  • Group-friendly accommodation
  • Exceptional standards of coaching
  • On-tour support from our reps on the ground
  • Support & assistance from our specialists guides throughout your tour
  • 24/7 support just a call away
  • Extensive group travel insurance

On your return

  • Priority rebooking services
  • Rewarding your loyalty with our reward scheme
  • You say, we listen - we're committed to continuously improving our tours
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