History school trips to Krakow

Wander through the streets of Krakow and you’ll uncover a treasure trove of cultural heritage, from universities dating back millennia to the city’s vibrant market square. But it’s the city’s incredible St Mary’s Basilica which is perhaps the city’s most impressive, with every brick of its Gothic architecture worthy of its UNESCO listing. Don’t forget to listen out for the church’s trumpet signal – the Hejnal mariacki – which is played every hour.

A truly emotive and thought-provoking visit for older school groups, serving as a poignant reminder of the horrors of Hitler’s tyranny. Auschwitz-Birkenau was the largest of the Nazi concentration and extermination camps, where it’s estimated over 1.1million individuals lost their lives. Here, students can gain an in-depth understanding of the lives of prisoners held in the camp and what went on behind its ominous gates.

Housed in a renaissance synagogue, this museum boasts a rich collection of Judaica dedicated to more than 800 years of Jewish heritage in southern Poland, and is one of the best collections of its kind in Central Europe. Students can learn all about Jewish life in Poland through a detailed photo exhibition which documents the remnants of Galicia, celebrates the Jewish culture, and commemorates the victims of the Holocaust.

The centre of religious and social life among Jewish people in Krakow, the Kazimierz was incorporated into the city in the 18th century. On this tour, students will learn about Krakow’s Jewish history, and develop an understanding of the significance of the city’s most important monuments, such as the Old Synagogue, the Remuh Synagogue and Remuh Cemetery.

Adored by locals and tourists alike, the Obwarzanki – a Polish twist on a bagel – is sold in several outlets throughout the city. At the Obwarzanka Museum, school groups can discover how the delicious dough ring has been a part of Krakow’s history for over 600 years. Located close to the city’s Main Square, the museum also gives students the opportunity to try making their own Obwarzanki, which they can then taste at the end of the demonstration.

One of the most historically important buildings in Krakow, this former factory was owned by Oskar Schindler, and was a place of work for many Jewish people from the nearby ghetto during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Now a museum, students can learn a great deal here about the life of Schindler, what happened at the factory, and life in Poland in the lead up to and during the Second World War.

A visit to this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site is one we know your students will never forget – in fact, it’s one of our favourites too. Discover the wonders of this centuries-old mine on this excursion, which includes seeing an underground cathedral carved out of the rock! This is one of Poland's most popular attractions and of great historic and cultural importance.

Dating back to the 15th century, this fascinating synagogue is the oldest still standing in Poland, and one of the most precious landmarks of Jewish architecture in Europe. Historically the religious, social and organisational centre of the Krakow Jewish community, the synagogue became a target at the beginning of the Second World War under Nazi occupation. Today, it’s home to a wealth of history, which will help your students understand the true impact of the Holocaust on Poland’s Jewish community.

Towering over the city of Krakow, Wawel Royal Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located at the top of Wawel Hill. Made up of predominantly Gothic, Romanesque and Renaissance architecture, the ‘crown jewel of Krakow’ dates back to the 14th century, offering student groups an insight into Poland’s vast history.