A Historical Glimpse Into Krakow, Poland

A Historical Glimpse Into Krakow, Poland
By Robert Emdur

As one of the oldest cities in Poland, and its second largest city, Krakow is one of the most interesting places to visit on university trips. Located in the southern part of the country on the Vistula River, Krakow is a vibrant city filled with history that dates back to the Stone Age.

Over time, the city became known for its academic influences and its universities are an ingrained part of the culture and well respected across Europe. After the start of the Second World War, Poland was invaded by Germany and Krakow became the capital of Germany's Central Government, remaining largely undamaged during the war. While you are in the city, you should immerse yourself in its history and visit the Krakow Old Town Square, the Galicia Jewish Museum, and the Plaszow Concentration Camp.

Krakow Old Town Square - The itinerary of university trips to Krakow will undoubtedly include a walk through the Old Town, where you will come across the Old Town Square. This was the main market square when it came into existence in 1257. It is one of the largest squares in Europe and skirting the edges are important historical sites such as the Town Hall Tower, the Sukiennice, old tenement buildings and the Adam Mickiewicz Monument - which is dedicated to the great Polish Romantic poet who lived and wrote here between 1798 and 1855. The whole of the Old Town, including the square, was one of the first places chosen for UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1978.

The Galicia Jewish Museum - Located at Dajw�r 18, 31-000, the Galicia Jewish Museum is a great destination for those on university trips to learn more of the history of Krakow, its Jewish inhabitants, and its role in WWII. The museum itself has educational programs that range from introductory tourist information, to elementary and high school education, as well as some for those at tertiary level and business people who want to develop themselves professionally. The Galicia Jewish Museum houses a permanent exhibition called "Traces of Memory", which is a powerful display covering the history of the Jewish people in Poland. It is divided into five sections that cover the ruins, past culture, destruction, current memories and future of the Jewish people in Poland.

The Plaszow Concentration Camp - The Plaszow Concentration Camp was a forced labour camp built in a southern suburb of Krakow to house the forcibly dislocated Jewish communities during WWII. While certainly not one of the cheeriest places for students to visit on university trips, it is one of the most intense. It was built on the site of two Jewish cemeteries, with the tombstones used to make foundations for the buildings. The camp was also a central district for providing slave labourers to other nearby factories and quarries. Aside from being one of the most intensive and horrific concentration camps, the Plaszow Concentration Camp was used as the setting and historical backdrop of the Spielberg's film Schindler's List.

Robert Emdur works for Equity Student Travel, the UK's leading specialist in group travel for students in higher and further education. We organise university trips to destinations around the world covering a wide range of subjects, as well as conference & event-focused trips.

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