Explore Nowa Huta, the district that still bears testament to the power of the Soviets. These labyrinths of tenements were done in imitation of the Renaissance and had meant to be a model communist city. It later came to be one of the centres of revolution and resistance within Poland, leading to the eventual overthrow of the communist regime.
Visit a nuclear bunker and enjoy a guided visit to the original Cold War 'Head Command Post' bunker (the crisis management shelter) at the former Lenin Steelworks. Enjoy pickled cucumbers and vodka. Enjoy lunch in a typical communist-era 'Milk Bar' canteen. Hear stories and anecdotes from your guide that will bring back the days of yore!
What's the plan:
This is a private tour. It offers you greater flexibility - you can spend as much time at any of the places you visit, as per your preference.
You will be picked up from your hotel in Krakow in a genuine Eastern Bloc Trabant Automobile. Accompanied by a young and energetic English-speaking ‘Crazy Guide’, you will be taken to a communist-era restaurant for some traditional snacks. Further on, proceed on a walking tour of the famous communist districts of Nowa Huta, the easternmost district of Krakow.
Your knowledgeable guide will lead you through this one-of-a-kind city and up to the gates of the steel mill that was originally the heart of this district. Following the establishment of People’s Republic of Poland, the communist authorities had encountered resistance to their regime from middle-class Krakowians. In order to correct the class imbalance, the authorities started working towards building a satellite industrial town to attract people from lower socio-economic backgrounds to the region. In 1949, Nowa Huta was started as a separate town near Krakow on the terrain resumed by the communist government.
See the famous communist districts with special attention to the architecture and politics of the time. Your expert guide will give you in-depth information on the history of Poland’s government and first-hand details of what it was like to live under Soviet occupation. Today, the city boasts of many tributes to ardent anti-communists, with streets renamed to honour Pope John Paul II and the Polish exile leader, Wladyslaw Anders.
The 'Communism Deluxe', includes a tour of the original Cold War 'Head Command Post' bunker (the crisis management shelter) at the former Lenin Steelworks.
After the tour, you will be dropped back to your hotel in Krakow.
Please call the local activity operator at least 24 hours prior to start of the tour for reconfirming departure details.
This was FUN! Our guide - sorry we have forgotten her name! - was amusing & informative & answered any questions we had. It was a super reminder of mid 20th Century architecture,...
The guide was helpful and engaged and the whole morning was and interesting glimpse into a different part of Krakow. The difference in architecture was worth seeing but the...
The tour was very well organised and fun. The guide was excellent and the tour was very good value. I thoroughly enjoyed the tour....