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Podgorze

Podgorze, officially the 13^th Krakow district, is situated on the right bank of the Vistula river, opposite to the Krakow Old Town and Kazimierz. Formerly a separate town, Podgorze has a long history, and though it is no match for the Old Town when it comes to landmarks, it still has a lot to offer to Cracow visitors. Recently, Podgorze is becoming more popular among the more fun-loving tourists, with clubs and restaurants appearing all over the place.

The History of Podgorze

Podgorze was established after the First Partition of Poland in 1772 by the Austrians, but this district's area has been inhabited since about 10,000 BC. Podgorze was also an important place for the Slavs, who lived here in the 7^th century – the Mound of Krak is a visible trace of their existence. In the middle ages, the areas of Podgorze served as a industry base for Krakow, housing several quarries and warehouses storing lime, sand and stone. For a short time after its establishment, Podgorze was quickly developing as a rival of Krakow, then still belonging to Poland, but when the country lost its independence, the importance of Podgorze decreased. Finally, in 1915 it became a part of Krakow.

Podgorze during World War II

World War II meant a very hard time for Krakow, and the Podgorze district arguably suffered the most. In 1941, the Nazis turned the district into the Krakow Ghetto. Additionally, a year later a concentration camp was established in the nearby Plaszow. Hunger, illnesses and executions claimed nearly 80,000 lives. Most of the Krakow Ghetto Jews were killed in 1943 in Auschwitz. The only brighter chapter of this tragic history are the lives of Oscar Schindler, a German factory director who saved nearly 1,200 Jews – mostly his workers, and Tadeusz Pankiewicz, a Pole whose Pharmacy 'Under The Eagle' was an important point of resistance, providing the Krakow Jews with medicine.

Podgorze Landmarks

Apart from the Krakus Mound and the 'Under the Eagle' Pharmacy, which is now a museum hosting a small exhibition devoted to the Krakow Ghetto, Podgorze has some other places worth visiting. These include the immense, neogothic St. Joseph's church, built in 1909, and the two Podgorze Cemeteries. The Old Podgorze Cemetery (Stary Cmentarz Podgorski) is Krakow's oldest municipal burial ground, dating back to the 1780s. The Krakow Ghetto is commemorated by a disturbing monument, entitled 'Chairs', on the Plac Bohaterow Getta near the Most Powstancow Slaskich.

Podgorze Nightlife

Krakow Nightlife has been moving out of the Old Town to Kazimierz, but it seems that the former Jewish quarter is going to have a powerful competitor in a short time. The competitor's name is, of course, Podgorze, which is quickly turning from being a quite squalid residential district, popular among students because of its low room rent prices, into the next Krakow Nightlife center. Don't let others discover Podgorze before you and be sure to read our Krakow Restaurants guide and see the places worth going to in Podgorze.