“…independent and self-managed city branch, its aim is gathering and proper protection of all historical materials related to life and culture of Krakow since the first ages of the city’s history till the current time, as well as development of science, research and education activities.” – Mission and History
According to the website, the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow focuses on local traditions, customs, and ceremonies. While it maintains permanent exhibits of old synagogues, a Krakow ghetto pharmacy, and the Old Schlender’s Factory, this museum also fosters continuous curiosity by bringing in a range of temporary exhibits. The museum was first built in 1937 at Swietego Ducha Street 5 (currently Szpitalna Street 21). It now has has several branches that all tell the important and unique story of Krakow.
The museum’s collection is extensive and of good quality, but only deals with artifacts and documentaries that directly relate back to the lives of Krakow citizens. Photographs, paintings, and graphics from the collection can be viewed on the museum website. There are pictures of Judaic relics, patriotic mementos, and even clocks. Because the museum was made by and designed for the citizens of Krakow, however, things that don’t affect this area are left out, which leads to possible bias in the museum’s collection.
The website of the museum is in Polish, but has been translated very well into English: only the most recent news has not been translated into English. Furthermore, many pieces from the exhibits have been uploaded into virtual archives that are accessible to anyone.
Memorializing the Holocaust
Krakow Under Nazi Occupation 1939-1945
Krawkow Under Nazi Occupation 1939-1945 || Oskar Schindler’s Factory
Oskar Schindler’s Factory
“I had to help them. There was no choice.” – Oskar Schindler
This is a permanent exhibition located in the former administrative building of Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory at 4 Lipowa Street.
It tells the story of how the Nazi invaders disrupted the century’s long history of Polish-Jewish relations. Using the fame of the Steven Spielberg movie to attract tourists, this exhibit works hard to memorialize the story of the Deutsche Emailwarenfabrik and Oskar Schindler, who saved the lives of over a thousand people during the Holocaust. The exhibition includes 45 rooms, 30 interactive multimedia kiosks with touchscreens, 70 soundstracks, and 15 video projectors. The museum also created a space of remembrance at the former Enamel Factory.
Fighting City 1939-1945
Pomorska Street || People of Krawkow in Times of Terror 1939-1945-1956
Pomorska Street || People of Krawkow in Times of Terror 1939-1945-1956
This branch of the museum is located at 2 Pomorska Street in Krakow.
The exhibit focuses on the Polish victims of the Holocaust. Here lies a Gestapo prison that kept, tortured, and killed Polish people. It recounts how people fought for to be free from the Nazis; later the exhibits also goes into detail about the Stalinist Regime. A documentary and audiovisual presentations help introduce and describe this period of history. The information in this exhibit is also included in the virtual archives, which was made available by museum employees.
Tadeusz Pankiewicz’s Pharmacy in Krakow Ghetto
The Eagle Pharmacy || Tadeusz Pankiewicz’s Pharmacy in Krawkow Ghetto
The Eagle Pharmacy || Tadeusz Pankiewicz’s Pharmacy in Krawkow Ghetto
Opened on the 70th anniversary of the German liquidation of Krawkow ghetto in March 2013, this permanent exhibition is located within the limits of the former ghetto area.
Assembled from the experiences of Tadeusz Pankiewicz, a recipient of The Righteous Among Nations honor, the exhibit tells the story of the lives and last days of the ghetto residents. Pankiewicz’s book, Apteka w getcie krakowskim (The Krakow Ghetto Pharmacy), and the space of the entire pharmacy have been used to create the exhibit. This exhibit shows a different perspective about what a Jewish person might have been going through.
Memory Trail 1939-1956
For the dead and the living, we must bear witness.” – Elie Wiesel
The Historical Museum of the City of Krakow combines these three exhibits to create a unique experience that teaches visitors about the Holocaust and its immediate aftermath. The different locations , artifacts, documentaries, first-hand accounts, and meticulously crafted exhibition rooms all come together to tell the total story of the Holocaust in Krakow.
The website makes it very easy to learn about the museum’s exhibits and collections without visiting the institution personally.
Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp in Oświęcim, Poland.
Memorial and Museum
This museum/memorial works to make sure the tragedy of what happened at Auschwitz is never forgotten. The institution makes sure to keep its archival collections in good shape so that they can be used to help tell what happened at Auschwitz and educate future generations about it. This museum/memorial also memorializes all of those who suffered and died at the death camp. Auschwitz, the location of mass genocide, represents death camps that were used by the Nazis to exterminate Jews and other people that were subject to their hatred. By keeping the site standing, the museum/memorial helps to give people absolute proof of Auschwitz’ existence. Although Nazis tried to destroy the evidence of what happened at Auschwitz, the use of the camp’s remains with newly renovated exhibits makes sure this horrible place will never be forgotten. The institution’s collection includes thousands of items that were found on site, including some that were owned or used by prisoners or Nazis.
Since the museum/memorial is located at the place where the tragedies of Auschwitz actually took place, this helps strengthen the impact of the institution and highlight its goals of remembrance and education. Because the structure of Auschwitz was partially destroyed and never finished, however, the structure of the camp is subject to decay over time. Furthermore, this museum/memorial is limited to describing the situation at Auschwitz, since not all camps were exactly like it. The museum/memorial came to be when former prisoners lead by Tadeusz Wasowicz went to protect the site of Auschwitz and build a museum there. The museum would be presented as a “historical document.” By working to preserve the buildings and by continuing to defend and honor the victims, this memorial/museum helps to remind people about the potentially disastrous effects of hatred.
The website is available in both Polish and English translations. It also provides basic information about the history of Auschwitz-Birkenau as well as information about the memorial/museum in 18 languages. The website also has translated news. By being so willing to translate the information on their website, this museum is committed to sharing their information with as many people as possible.
The English translation of the plaque that is at the Auschwitz -Birkenau Memorial and Museum.
E- Learning
Auschwitz stands as a terrible reminder of the terrible potential man has for violence and humanity. – Billy Graham
There are a series of lessons that people can take on the website if they are unable to visit the memorial/museum. These tools can also be used for those who are preparing to visit. The lessons are in English and Polish. The first lesson, “Auschwitz – concentration and extermination camp” has been translated into Arabic, Persian, Portuguese, Spanish and German. These lessons give people who may never have a chance to visit the museum/memorial the opportunity to freely learn on their own schedule and in their own home. This allows more people to be educated on the events and tragedies that took place.
Theresienstadt, also known as Terezin, in the Czech Republic
“Paradise Camp” – A Nazi Propaganda Camp
The intention of this memorial and website is to memorialize and commemorate the victims of Nazi violence. Renamed from the National Suffering Memorial, Terezin is the only institution of its kind in the Czech Republic. Terezin was a “model camp” that the Nazis showed the Danes and the Red Cross to try to expel rumors that the camps were horrible. Some of the Jewish prisoners there were prominent members of their communities who were often well-educated and involved in the arts. The Nazis tried to create an illusion of a cultural paradise for the Jews at this camp so that they could claim the Nazis were the protectors of the Jews.
The website to the Terezin Memorial is unfortunately very difficult to navigate and it is also hard to read in depth on any subject. The website is only in English and Czech and the English translation is often limited and vague. There online collection was very difficult to find and small in size; it only has about a few pages of 6-7 photos. This website does not hold the attention of its visitors.
