We went to the Oskar Schindler enamel factory. It’s an amazing historical perspective of what happened in Poland starting in 1930’s Germany. Afterwards, we walked to the nearby ghetto where there is a powerful monument composed of empty chairs. I composed a “Schindler’s List” movie tour of sites that were doable on the walk back to the hotel. We ubered to the factory and spent hours walking back, taking in the sights and eating dinner at a wonderful off the beaten path restaurant where we were the only non Europeans, (score!) without hurry.
Another site to see, and was next to our RS hotel, was the Czartoryski Museum. Da Vinci’s “Lady with an Ermine” is there. There are other remarkable pieces in this Polish Art Museum. The Nazis stole and/or destroyed much of Polish art and artifacts. It’s incredible that this museum was able to piece together Polish history post war. A true testament to the Monuments men and all the resistance fighters that hid and protected Polish history and culture.
There is a pedestrian area, it was right where we were staying, that is fun and authentic. Vodka bars, amber jewelry, chocolate, and other fascinating things to see on the way to the main market square. The market square is very cool early morning, when Krakow is waking up, and later in the day where people come to unwind.
