Nowa Huta

Nowa Huta is a distant district of Krakow since 1951. It was founded as an independent industrial city in 1949. It is a great example of communist planning strategy. This planned and built from scratch workers’ community is situated 10 kilometers east of Krakow’s Main Market Square.

Nowa Huta Steelworks

Decision to build steelwork complex of Nowa Huta was made by communist government in 1947. In 1950 works began and first heat of steel was made in 1953. Complex was named by Lenin, later in 1990 when communist regime collapsed, name was changed into Tadeusz Sendzimir – a Polish – American engineer and metallurgist.

Wanda’s Mound

It is one of 4 still standing mounds in Krakow. According to the legend it is a burial mound of Wanda – daughter of King Krak (legendary founder of Krakow). It is said that Queen Wanda ruled Krakow after her two brothers killed each other in a dispute over the throne.

Central Square (Plac Centralny)

Central Square is simply like a Main Market Square of Nowa Huta. Of course it has nothing more in common with Krakow's Main Market than just being a heart of the city. It was laid out in 1949 at the very beginning of building new city of Nowa Huta.

Arka Church

Communism system was the enemy of Catholic church so the city planners of Nowa Huta did not prepared any areas for churches. It took a long time and many mass demonstrations to finally get permission to build a new church in Nowa Huta. It happened in 1957.

Cistercian Abbey

The Cistercians were brought to Krakow in 1222 by Bishop Iwo Odrowaz. The Cistercian Abbey was built just a bit later and consecrated in 1266. Today’s abbey has a newer, Baroque façade designed and was erected by Franciszek Moser in 1779 – 1780.

Boulevard of Roses

The buildings at Boulevard of Roses represent the hight of pseudo-Renaissance ornament on Socialist Realist buildings. In the centre of the small square there is a rose garden were the monument of Włodzimierz Lenin used to be placed.