Schindler's Factory Museum: Krakow Attraction

Schindler's Factory Museum at ul. Lipowa 4 occupies the former administration building of Oskar Schindler's enamelware factory in Zabłocie, just east of the former ghetto. Run as a branch of the Museum of Krakow, it houses the permanent exhibition "Krakow under Nazi Occupation 1939-1945". The story of Schindler, the German industrialist who saved over 1,200 Jewish workers, anchors the museum, but its real subject is the entire city during the war.

What it is

This is a history museum rather than a film location tour. The exhibition leads you chronologically through occupied Krakow: the German invasion of 1939, everyday life under occupation, the creation of the ghetto in Podgórze in March 1941, deportations, resistance, and liberation. Scenography plays a large role, with recreated streets, a tram, apartment interiors and ghetto walls, all woven with photographs, documents and recorded testimonies of residents and survivors.

History in brief

Oskar Schindler took over the enamelware factory known as Emalia in 1939 and employed Jewish workers from the ghetto and later from the Płaszów camp. By shielding them from deportation, and ultimately moving over 1,200 people to a new site in Brünnlitz in 1944, he saved their lives; Yad Vashem later honored him as Righteous Among the Nations. The factory's administration building became a museum in 2010. The production halls behind it now house MOCAK, Krakow's museum of contemporary art.

What to see

• The permanent exhibition: an immersive, room-by-room account of Krakow from 1939 to 1945, built around the experiences of the city's Polish and Jewish inhabitants.
• Schindler's office: the preserved office with its map of Europe and the Survivors' Ark, a memorial installation holding the names of those he saved.
• The ghetto rooms: sections devoted to the Podgórze ghetto, its overcrowding and its liquidation in March 1943, presented with restraint and documentary detail.
• Personal testimonies: film and audio accounts by survivors and witnesses, which give the scenography its weight.

Practical information

The museum uses timed entry, and tickets commonly sell out days ahead in high season, so book online through the Museum of Krakow as early as you can. Expect adult tickets in the 45 to 60 PLN range, with reduced fares available; the museum has traditionally offered one free-entry day a week for the permanent exhibition, but conditions change, so verify current prices and rules on the official site. Plan 2 to 3 hours for the visit. The subject matter is serious and parts of the exhibition are intense, so it suits adults and older children best.

Getting there

Lipowa 4 is in Zabłocie, about a ten-minute walk from Ghetto Heroes Square; trams from the centre stop at Plac Bohaterów Getta and Zabłocie. The museum pairs naturally with the memorial sites of the former ghetto, covered on our Podgórze ghetto district page. Our Memory Trail tour links Kazimierz, the former ghetto and the factory in one guided route, and many visitors continue the story with an Auschwitz-Birkenau tour from Krakow on another day.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book Schindler's Factory tickets in advance?

Yes, in practice. Entry is timed and capacity is limited, and slots often sell out days in advance from spring to autumn. Book online through the Museum of Krakow as soon as your dates are fixed.

Is the museum about the film Schindler's List?

No. The film made the place famous, but the exhibition is about Krakow under Nazi German occupation from 1939 to 1945. Schindler's office and the story of his workers form one part of a much wider account.

How long does a visit take?

Most visitors need 2 to 3 hours to walk the full exhibition at a reasonable pace. Audio guides and guided tours are available and add depth without adding much time.

Is there a free entry day?

The Museum of Krakow has traditionally made the permanent exhibition free one day a week, but the day and conditions change and free tickets are limited. Check the official museum site shortly before your visit.

Is Schindler's Factory suitable for children?

The exhibition deals with occupation, the ghetto and the Holocaust, presented soberly but directly. It is generally recommended for teenagers and older children; parents of younger children should preview the themes first.