In 2010, the Oskar Schindler Enamelled Goods Factory (to give it its full name) re-opened to the public as a world-class museum.
The story of Oskar Schindler and his employees is one which has been well-known since Steven Spielberg's film Schindler’s List (which was shot almost entirely in Kraków) brought it to audiences across the world in 1993, and while that story is covered in detail on the original site where many events took place, the museum actually casts the city of Kraków in the main role of its permanent exhibition titled, ‘Kraków During Nazi Occupation 1939-1945.’ Individual histories of Kraków’s wartime inhabitants guide visitors through the exhibit which covers the war of 1939, everyday life under occupation, the fate of the Jews, the city’s underground resistance and more, using vast archival documents, photos, radio and film recordings, period artefacts and dynamic multimedia installations. Other exhibits change regularly, while a separate section of the original factory is reserved for film screenings, lectures and other cultural events, and another large part of the factory hosts MOCAK - Kraków's excellent contemporary art museum which opened in 2011. A must-visit, Schindler's Factory is one of the most fascinating museums in the entire country and we recommend you reserve at least two hours if you want to see everything.
Schindler's Factory Tickets & Visiting Info
It was once a real challenge to get into Schindler's Factory without buying your ticket in advance, but the situation has dramatically improved. Entries are timed, but are now every 10mins, and more tickets are now available at the ticket office on-site at the museum, with limited numbers available online for prior reservation. If you are planning to visit and do not have tickets, don't despair; it's likely you can buy them at the ticket office of the museum when you are ready to visit.Tickets sold on-site at the museum are now only for immediate entry and not sold for later entries on the same day, or future dates. Tickets for future dates can only be bought online, or from the Visitor Service Centre in Krzysztofory Palace on the Market Square. Buying your tickets online can be done until one day in advance of your visit, which is still a smart move because visitor numbers are controlled and there's always a chance you could be disappointed if the museum is too busy. Larger groups are still advised to buy tickets online in advance of their visit; in fact, groups of over 14 people are obliged to book in advance. The permanent exhibit of Schindler's Factory is free on Mondays and Monday tickets are now only available at the ticket office of the museum for immediate entry.
The last museum entry is 1.5 hours before closing, and the average visiting time is 2.5 hours (though to examine the entire permanent exhibit in detail would take longer).
Getting to Schindler's Factory
To get to the museum via public transport, take a tram to Pl. Bohaterów Getta, from which it's a 5-10 minute walk down ul. Kącik, under the train overpass, onto ul. Lipowa and you're there.The Kraków Zabłocie train station is also just metres from Schindler's Factory, which means you can take a local train (Koleje Małopolskie) from Kraków Główny train station (two stops), or any other local station.
For up-to-the-minute public transport connections, check jakdojade.pl.
Comments
Hamza Lahloumi Buffalo
Excellent musuem !!! Must see
Agata
Fantastic, interactive museum brought to life by the movie about Schindler''s list. This is probably the best museum I have visited in Kraków
Elena
From the website. :) Admission to the permanent exhibition is free on Mondays, however due to security issues the number of tickets is limited.
leanne
London
The exhibition has been put together wonderfully well and offers a stark insight into the occupation of Krakow. It's easily possible to spend an entire day here if you want to really see everything indepth, but please allow yourself at least 2-3 hrs. Worth noting that you can purchase a ' memory trail' ticket for 23 zloty which allows you access to Schindlers Factory, The Eagle Pharmacy in the Ghetto and also the Gestapo Holding Cells at Dom Slaski on Ulica Pomorska. The ticket is valid for 7 days, so is a great option.
Karin
Maryland, USA
This is an excellent museum, although it is of course horribly grim. In the United States too many Americans see the Nazi occupation as something that happened to Polish Jews and not to Polish Catholics as well. This museum depicts the whole vibrant city as a victim of the Nazis, albeit far worse for the Jews. And while it does provide very interesting information about Schlinder, it's content is far broader and includes many other acts of bravery, both large and small. An unexpected highlight of my trip to Poland. Cheers to the curators for the deep archival research that went into creating this experience.
Catherine
just back from a short break in krakow and while i was there i visited the schlinder factory it was absolutely amazing so much information and the atmosphere that was created through music and sound made it more realistic fantastic tour.
tracy
I think Oskar Schindler is a really kind man who cares about himself and other people.
Ivan Ash
My wife and I visited the museum in September 2011. We previously had visited the Holocaust exhibit in the War Museum in London and earlier in September several in the Baltic states. The Schindler Museum was one of the most moving poignant experiences on our trip. We later visited Auschwitz-Birkenau a similar experience but the Schindler Museum was the peak of our trip.