Schindler's Factory Tours | Learn About an Important Time in History With an Expert Guide
Established in 1937 in Krakow, Schindler’s Factory is an enamel factory turned history museum famous for owner Oskar Schindler’s historically significant decision to hire 1200 Jews to save them from the atrocities of the Nazis during World War II. His decision saved the Jews from the Holocaust – the gruesome fate of concentration camps that the Nazis had set up to murder them during the Second World War.
The factory has since been turned into a museum that houses several documents, photographs, artifacts, and emotional videos left behind by the incredibly brave heroes and victims of the war. It depicts their wartime experiences. The history museum also hosts exhibitions, educational activities, and events that depict what life was like during the war. Read on to know how a Schindler’s Factory tour can enhance the experience of your visit to this iconic attraction!
Why Take a Schindler's Factory Tour?
Schindler’s Factory boasts a rich history and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Poland. Here are a few reasons why you should take a Schindler’s Factory tour.
- A Schindler’s Factory tour offers tourists an opportunity to learn more about the factory-turned-museum because it includes an expert who knows the attraction inside out.
- Guided tours include a skip the line feature that allows you to skim past long queues and access the site on priority.
- On a guided tour, you get to learn so much about the history of the attraction and the various exhibitions, educational activities, and events it hosts.
- A guided tour allows you to explore the attraction more efficiently and smoothly with the help of a tour guide.
- There is usually a huge crowd waiting to enter Schindler’s Factory. Access gets easier, quicker, and hassle-free with guided tours.
All Your Schindler's Factory Guided Tour Options
Highlights Covered on Your Schindler's Factory Tour
Museums
There are two museums inside Schindler’s Factory that depict the different aspects of life in Krakow during the reign of the Nazis through a series of exhibits. There are 45 exhibition rooms inside the museum – each of which has been recreated to depict the city’s wartime history and the pain and suffering its citizens experienced using everyday objects like newspapers, artifacts, and personal documents.
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Exhibitions
There are two exhibitions – one permanent and the other temporary – currently running at the Schindler’s Factory. The permanent exhibition tells the story of Krakow and how the Nazi occupation disrupted the relations between its Polish and Jewish residents. Also, get a glimpse of Oskar Schindler’s office and the Survivor’s Ark made of thousands of enamel pots, walk along the cobbled streets, board a tram, or check out the hair salon.
The temporary exhibition is divided into six parts depicting stories of the outbreak of war, the fate of the soldiers, deportation of civilians, the terror of German occupation, the Katyn massacre, and forced labor from the perspective of the citizens of Krakow. The collection also includes testimonies of eye-witnesses and soldiers, photographs, letters, and records.
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Events
Schindler’s Factory hosts several events throughout the year that take you back to the history of Krakow and its several historical locations. They also curate special tours of the exhibitions to help citizens get a better and deeper understanding of the war, its senselessness, and what life was like in Krakow during its course. There are also a few light-hearted events like the one focusing on the history of clothing and the changing fashion of Krakow in the 1930s.
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Educational Activities
The museum also organizes educational activities and tours for children of different age groups to help them develop a deeper understanding of the history of Krakow and its German occupation during the Second World War. These classes held both online and offline, include a tour of the exhibitions where children are shown photographs, artifacts, and documents that tell of the history of the city during the war and the impact of Oskar Schindler’s historic decision during the time.
Guided Tours vs Non-Guided Tours
Guided Tours
- A tour guide will accompany you and provide you with all the knowledge and information you need about the attraction.
- The skip the line feature on your Schindler’s Factory guided tour ticket will allow you to walk past long waiting lines and access the museum on priority.
- Guided tours have a fixed itinerary that includes all the important places you should visit within the attraction. It helps get around Schindler’s Factory more efficiently.
- A guided tour usually includes a small group of tourists for a more complete, immersive, and interactive experience.
Non-Guided Tours
- A general admission ticket allows you to explore the history museum at your own pace without any hurry.
- You can get yourself an audio guide to know about the history of the attraction.
- You will not be allowed to skip the line or skim past huge crowds to enter the museum. This means that you might have to wait in long queues that could take anywhere between 30 minutes to two hours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Schindler's Factory Tours
A. Yes. Schindler’s Factory tour tickets are available for booking. You can book them here.
A. You can book a Schindler’s Factory tour online.
A. A Schindler’s Factory tour starts from €15.
A. There are six types of Schindler’s Factory tours available – Skip the Line Guided Tour of Oskar Schindler’s Factory, Combo (Save 7%) – Weiliczka Salt Mine + Oskar Schindler’s Factory Guided Tour, Oskar Schindler’s Story & Walking Tour, Jewish Quarter Kazimierz and Schindler’s Factory Guided Tour, Guided Tour of Oskar Schindler’s Factory, Jewish Quarter Kazimierz and Krakow Ghetto, and Guided Tour of Schindler’s Factory and Plaszow Concentration Camp.
A. The Schindler’s Factory tours include access to all sections that are open to the public. You get to explore the two museums, exhibitions, educational activities, and events.
A. The Schindler’s Factory guided tours are available in four languages – English, German, Spanish, and French.
A. The guided tour covers the two museums inside Oskar Schindler’s Factory as well as the exhibitions, events, and activities that take place there. Get a glimpse of photographs, films, and documents depicting life in Krakow during the world war.
A. It depends on the guided tour you book. The small group guided tour will have no more than 10 people while the other guided tours have a maximum capacity of 25 guests.
A. Yes. The Schindler’s Factory tour is worth it because it’s the best way to explore the enamel factory turned museum and learn all about its history.
A. Yes. The Schindler’s Factory guided tours include skip the line access.
A. It depends on the type of guided tour you book. A few can be cancelled up to 24 hours before the scheduled date while others cannot be cancelled, refunded, or rescheduled. Please check your ticket cancellation policy while booking.
A. The Schindler’s Factory guided tours are between 1 hour 30 minutes to 5 hours long, depending on the tour you choose.
A. Yes. Children aged 0 to 6 years get free entry while those between 7 to 17 years of age and students aged 18 to 26 years enjoy reduced prices. Please carry a valid photo ID. Additionally, guests can get up to 5% off on their tickets.
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