With a population of approximately 760,000 people, Krakow is Poland's largest and oldest city. Even though Krakow was heavily damaged during World War II, much of its historic center remained intact, making the city home to several historical and cultural attractions, including the Oskar Schindler’s Factory.
The Oskar Schindler's Factory is the best way to get started on your history lessons to get a glimpse into the past of Krakow and the Nazi invasion of the city. Here's our guide to making the best out of your visit to the haven that saved many from the clutches of the Nazis.
Oskar Schindler's Factory - In a Nutshell
Oskar Schindler's Factory Timings
Open on all days except Tuesdays.
Mondays: 10 am - 2 pm
Tuesday - Sunday: 10 am - 7 pm
Know before you go
Best time to visit: March-May/September-November
Starting Prices for Oskar Schindler's Factory Tickets at €2.07
Suggested duration: 2 hours
Location: Poland
Address
Lipowa 4, 30-702 Kraków, Poland
Get there
Who is Oskar Schindler?
Oskar Schindler was a German businessman and member of the Nazi party who saved the lives of many Jewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. Born in 1908 to a Catholic family, Schindler grew up in Moravia and worked in several businesses before joining the Nazi party in 1939. Schindler's interest in saving Jewish lives began after witnessing the persecution of Jewish people in Poland. He started by helping Jews find work in his factories and then moved on to directly rescuing them from concentration and extermination camps.
Over the course of World War II, Schindler saved the lives of more than a thousand Jews by providing them with food, shelter, and protection from the Nazis. His efforts were featured in the 1993 film "Schindler's List," which won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Oskar Schindler's story is an inspiring example of heroism and compassion in the face of evil.
The Tale Behind Oskar Schindler's Factory
Oskar Schindler's Factory was built in the early 1940s and served as a production site for enamelware and amunitions. Located in the town of Krakow, Poland, the factory employed Jewish workers who were exempt from Nazi concentration camps. In 1944, Schindler was able to convince the Nazi authorities to move his factory to the city of Brünnlitz, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic). This saved the workers from being transported to Auschwitz and other extermination camps. The factory continued to operate until the end of World War II.
Which Oskar Schindler's Factory Tickets should you buy?
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Grab your Oskar Schindler's Factory Tickets from here!
Entry to the permanent exhibitions are free on all Mondays, however there are limited tickets.
Best Recommended Guided Tours to Oskar Schindler's Factory
If you're the type of person who likes to go off the beaten path, a guided tour may not be for you. But if you're looking for a hassle-free way to see the historically significant Oskar Schindler's Factory, then a guided tour with Headout is definitely the way to go. Instead of having to worry about planning itineraries, making reservations, and dealing with many other things, you can simply relax and enjoy the ride!
Why Visit Oskar Schindler's Factory?
The factory was used by Oskar Schindler to protect and save the lives of Jews who were being persecuted by the Nazis. Over the course of the war, Schindler's Factory became a haven for more than 1,200 Jews. During its time in operation, it is estimated that at its peak in 1944, around 1,750 jew workers were employed at the factory. Although many other Jews perished in Nazi concentration camps, those who were able to take refuge in Schindler's Factory were saved from death.
Today, the factory is a museum that stands as a testament to Schindler's heroic efforts. The museum features exhibits on the history of the Holocaust as well as the stories of those who were saved by Schindler. Visitors can also see original artifacts from the factory, including machines used to produce ammunition and uniforms for the Nazi Army. The Oskar Schindler Factory is a powerful reminder of the importance of resistance and compassion in the face of evil.
The building also hosts two museums inside. The first is the Museum of Contemporary Art in Kraków, built in 2011. It is located in one of the former workshops and features neomodern architecture. The second is a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków, where they exhibit 'Kraków – the time of occupation 1939-1945' for the visitors.
What to See Inside Oskar Schindler's Factory
Kraków under Nazi Occupation 1939–1945
From 1939 to 1945, Kraków was the capital of Nazi-occupied Poland. The city's Jewish population was confined to a ghetto, and thousands were deported to concentration and extermination camps. The permanent exhibit "Kraków under Nazi Occupation 1939–1945" tells the story of the city during this dark period in history.
The immersive interactive exhibition takes the visitors on a journey narrating the story of Jews in Nazi-occupied Krakow - visitors can walk through cobbled streets and narrow corridors to resemble the ghetto walls, ride a tram that gives you a sneak peek into the everyday life of the war-time Krakow through the documentary played on the windows or even get to experience a war-time hairdresser’s salon!
The 45 exhibition rooms include artifacts from the ghetto and from Schindler's factory, as well as firsthand accounts of life under Nazi rule. The exhibit includes photos, documents, and personal testimonies from survivors, and provides a moving reminder of the human costs of war. Using 70 different soundtracks, 30 interactive multimedia kiosks, 15 video projectors, and more the whole encounter is sure to stir emotions, giving visitors a both tangible and personal experience.
In the end, the visitors can see a sculptural installation depicting the various emotions and attitudes experienced by the people during the war, acting as a culmination of the entire exhibition. The exhibits acts as a powerful reminder of the human capacity for both evil and good.
Parting – Searching. Wartime Fate of Krakow’s Inhabitants
The temporary exhibition open until September 18, 2022, aims to depict the tragedies of World War II from the perspectives of those who - were residing in Krakow at the time of the war, those who left the city when the war broke out, and those who moved to the city later.
The exhibition is divided into 6 thematic sections, based on the different experiences:
- The Outbreak of War and the Fate of Soldiers
- Deportation of Civilians to the East
- The Katyn Massacre
- German Occupation Terror
- The Extermination of Krakow’s Jews
- Forced Labour for Germany
The exhibition contains photographs, testimonies of witnesses, documents, and letters, along with an illustrated catalog containing the war experiences of the residents, to add to the others. The various perspectives on the war from people from the different classes of society give the visitors a varied view of the tragedy. There are also souvenirs of the war, which the residents have lend out to the museum.
The exhibition will also be accompanied by the so-called memorial deposit, presenting family stories and souvenirs, temporarily lended by the inhabitants of Krakow. The exhibition will last until September 18, 2022.
Plan your visit to Oskar Schindler's Factory
Opening Hours
- From Tuesday to Sunday the opening hours are from 10 am to 7 pm.
- On Mondays, the site operates from 10 am to 2 pm.
- Entry is free on Mondays with limited tickets, which should be booked online beforehand.
- Entry closes 90 minutes before the closing time.
- The museum is closed on first Tuesday of every month.
Getting to the Oskar Schindler's Factory
By Bus
- The closest stop Krakowska Akademia is just a 6-minutes walk away from the factory.
- If starting from the Kraków Główny Station, the cheapest way is to take a 605 bus and stop at Klimeckiego, which is a 9-minutes walk away from the factory.
By Train
- The closest stop Kraków Zabłocie is just a 5-minutes walk away from the factory.
By Tram
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The following tram lines pass through Oskar Schindler's Factory -
Limanowskiego: 6, 13, 23
Zablocie: 11 and 20
Plac Bohaterow Getta: 3, 9, 19, 24 and 50
The closest station is Plac Bohaterow Getta. The factory is just an 8-minutes walk away.
By Uber
- Ideally it will cost around 8 to 15 złoty, roughly under 3 dollars, $1.71 to $2.61.
Best Time to Visit Oskar Schindler's Factory
- If you're looking to avoid the crowds, the best time to visit the is in the shoulder season between April and May, or September to November. During these months, you'll still be able to enjoy all that the factory museum has to offer without having to fight your way through throngs of tourists. So if you're looking to get the most out of your trip to the factory in Krakow, plan your visit for the shoulder season.
- We would recommend visiting the factory first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Map of Oskar Schindler's Factory
Insider Tips
- Try to avoid visiting on weekends, since that’s when most places including the Oskar Schindler's Factory are packed.
- Get tickets in advance to skip the lines and not tire yourself out.
- Make sure to wear comfy clothes and shoes, and dress according to the weather, since you have to walk around a lot.
- Have your meals before entering the the site, since it would typically take 2 hours or more before you get out.
- Keep your phone on silent and turn off notifications before entering the site for a distraction-free experience.
Oskar Schindler's Factory: FAQs
The best time to visit would be from March to May or from September to November, first hour in the morning when crowds tend to be fewer.
A ticket to Oskar Schindler's factory for an adult cost just €2.07 with Headout!
It would take 2 hours to cover the entire area.
Yes, children aged 0-6 don’t need tickets. Children aged 7-17 and students aged 18-26 have reduced ticket rates as long as they carry a valid ID.
Yes, tickets to the Oskar Schindler's Factory need to be booked at least 4 days prior if you want to enter on time. If not, you will have to stand in the queue which may take an hour or more. We recommend booking with the Skip the Lines ticket with Headout for a hassle-free booking!
