easy
2–3 hours
Average physical fitness required; comfortable walking ability needed
Step back into Poland’s communist past with a detailed tour of Nowa Huta. Discover monumental architecture and heroic stories that shaped modern Kraków’s history.
For all ages! • 2h 30 minutes • Professional, local guide • Visit with us Nowa Huta
Explore Nowa Huta, one of the last remaining ideal communist cities, and uncover its fascinating history. Witness monumental sites like Central Square and the Ark of Lord church, while learning about the heroic struggles of Polish workers who ignited the Solidarity movement. Experience a unique blend of architecture and resilience.
2 hours 30 minutes
Those were the days when Kraków’s veins were running with coal and steel and the glorious, royal past of the city didn’t matter anymore. The world was on the eve of the Cold War and Nowa Huta, the communist district of Kraków, was built to fight and resist it.
Visit with us Nowa Huta, one of the two still existing ideal communist cities in the world and get a chance to see the representative part of Nowa Huta – monumental Central Square and the Avenue of Roses, enter the 'Ark of Lord' church, a symbol of spiritual resistance of Catholic workers against the communist party will.
An ideal communist city, monumental and grand was built in a country that had just started to raise itself from the rubble of World War II. But, for the Communist Party, the costs of its construction were meaningless. Tangible proof of communist power was the only thing that mattered.
This ideal city, where religion was replaced with communist propaganda was supposed to be inhabited by ideal communist citizens: Homo Sovieticus. A new and better type of people, obedient, brainwashed and entirely devoted to the system. They were to replace the old chaotic, stubborn, free-willed and creative Homo Sapiens. But, nothing lasts forever. Eventually, the creatures turned against their masters. The people of Nowa Huta revolted and fought for freedom.
Join us and we will tell you the story of a heroic struggle of Polish workers, initiators of great strikes and protests that eventually started the fall of a Communist Block, and the beginnings of the biggest social movement of all times – Solidarity. All this in the surroundings of one of the best examples of an ideal communist city, which today, surprisingly, has so much to offer.
• Meeting point: Plac Centralny (Central Square) Nowa Huta district; take a tram nr 4 or 10 from stop – Teatr Słowackiego stop to Plac Centralny stop. Look for a guide with a yellow umbrella or Walkative! sign. • Start Time: Participants are expected to show up 5 min before the start time. • Language: English • There is no need to print your booking confirmation.
Thank you for choosing Walkative! If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
The tour involves a significant amount of walking through expansive streets and open spaces.
Morning tours offer quieter exploration and better light for photos.
Be prepared for variable weather as much of the tour is outdoors.
Capture the striking architecture and historic scenes along the route.
Nowa Huta was founded in the 1950s as a showcase socialist city and was a hub of resistance activity during communist rule.
Efforts focus on preserving the area's historic architecture while promoting sustainable tourism.
Supportive shoes are crucial for a full and comfortable tour experience.
Stay hydrated during outdoor sightseeing.
Capture the historic moments and architecture along the tour.
Dress in layers to adapt to changing weather conditions.