Step into one of Kraków’s most powerful historical sites — the former Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory in the district of Zabłocie. What was once an industrial building producing enamel kitchenware became during World War II a place of protection for hundreds of Jewish workers. Today the factory houses a museum that tells the story not only of Oskar Schindler, but also of the everyday lives, struggles, and resilience of Kraków’s inhabitants during the German occupation.

Opened as a museum in 2010, the former administrative building of the factory now presents the permanent exhibition “Kraków under Nazi Occupation 1939–1945.” Through photographs, archival documents, multimedia installations, and personal testimonies, visitors experience how the city changed during the war and how ordinary people faced extraordinary circumstances.

A Factory and the Story Behind It

The factory was originally built in the late 1930s as the First Małopolska Factory of Enamel Vessels and Tinware. In 1939, German entrepreneur Oskar Schindler took over the business and renamed it Deutsche Emailwarenfabrik (DEF). While the factory produced enamelware and later items for the German war industry, Schindler used his position to employ Jewish workers from the Kraków Ghetto, protecting many of them from deportation and death.

His actions ultimately helped save around 1,100 Jewish lives, a story that later became internationally known through historical research and film. Today Schindler is recognized by Yad Vashem as one of the Righteous Among the Nations for risking his life to protect others during the Holocaust.

The museum’s exhibition does more than focus on Schindler himself. Walking through its carefully designed rooms, visitors encounter reconstructed street scenes, wartime propaganda displays, and personal stories that reveal what life in Kraków looked like between 1939 and 1945. From the creation of the Kraków Ghetto to acts of resistance and survival, the exhibition presents a deeply human perspective on one of the darkest chapters of the city’s history.

Among the most memorable spaces is Schindler’s office, preserved to resemble its wartime appearance and symbolizing the decisions that helped save hundreds of lives.

Visiting the Museum

The museum is located at ul. Lipowa 4 in the Zabłocie district, a former industrial area that has transformed into one of Kraków’s modern cultural quarters. It can be easily reached on foot from Kazimierz or by tram and bus from the city centre.

Due to its popularity, tickets often sell out quickly, so booking in advance is recommended. A typical visit lasts around 1.5 to 2 hours, allowing enough time to explore the immersive exhibition and historical displays.

Why Visit

The Oskar Schindler Factory Museum offers a powerful and deeply moving introduction to Kraków’s wartime history. Through immersive storytelling and carefully curated exhibitions, it reveals both the tragedy of occupation and the courage of individuals who chose humanity over fear.

For many visitors, it becomes one of the most memorable and meaningful experiences in Kraków — a place that encourages reflection, understanding, and respect for the lives and stories that shaped the city.