'Urban utopia?' free walking tour in Nowa Huta: communist district from 1950s
Hi! I'm Mateusz from Wrocław/Kraków, Poland. I am a student, amateur musician, filmlover and travelling enthusiast, currently based in Kraków. I love to get to know new places, local people, food, drinks and art. Always equipped with fun facts on history, architecture and nature.
Pickup
I will be waiting next to the tram stop "Plac Centralny im. R. Reagana" by the Green Cafe Nero coffee shop. (Osiedle Centrum C1). Search for my BLUE UMBRELLA! (You have to get there ON YOUR OWN, it's best to use the tram line nr 4).
Description
Have you always wanted to explore Poland's communist past?
Now you can --> Join me on a trip to NOWA HUTA (The New Mill) a district in the north-eastern part of Kraków where great architecture and Polish history meet...
Skip the crowds in the Kraków's Old Square and visit an unique socialist city project that was built from scratch!
Nowa Huta is a "living museum" in which you will experience history first hand! Here you can feel the atmosphere of the Poland's communist era (1940s-1980s).
On my tour you will have an opportunity to see:
- the monumental Central Square and its 'socrealism' architecture
- Rose Alley promenade where you will learn about the Lenin Statue and communist era
- modernist architecture of "Helicopter", "Swedish Block" and "French Block" and learn more about their architects
- cultural centres of the New Mill (People's Theatre, NCK Culture Centre, Światowid cinema/museum)
- typical neighborhoods of the districts (Willowe, Wandy, Hutnicze)
- churches: Arka Pana and St. Mary's Church
- the nature reserve of Łąki Nowohuckie (meadows)
In my tour I am going to provide you with a in-depth look at history of the district as well as Polish communist past.
But don't suspect a history lesson... I will keep things simple, at times funny and full of anecdotes!
We will cover the beginning of the district, its first years, as well as 'Solidarity' movement history and some modern-times fun facts.
///for architecture lovers: you won't find better examples of both polish socrealism and modernism than on this tour! I will show the changes that occured in the architecture of the district through the years!
Nowa Huta was a utopian project to create a ideal city... on my tour you will see if the idea was realized and will have a taste of what workers' utopia would look like...
Our tour will start and end in the Central Plaza (Plac Centralny) which is conveniently connected with the Old Town by several tram lines (4, 5, 10, 22).
The journey there takes only 20 - 25 minutes! The standard ticket price is 4zł, and this cost is not included in the tour.
[If your are staying in the Old Town, you will have to make the ride to Nowa Huta by yourself]
We will walk for approximately 2 hours covering a distance of around 4 km (2 mi) and there will be breaks and places to sit on the way! It's also convenient for kids, pets and wheelchairs.
In the end I will give you my recommendations for other places, cafés and restaurants to visit!
If you want to see the lesser-known part of Kraków and hear fascinating stories from a local's point of view (whose also an architecture/history enthusiast and an experienced speaker) be sure to book a GuruWalk with me!