Podgórze

Podgórze is a district of Kraków, Poland, located on the right bank of the Vistula River and opposite the historic Kazimierz and the Old Town. It forms part of the city’s southern and eastern outskirts and is connected to other districts by roads, bridges and public transit.

Historically, Podgórze began as an independent settlement and grew into an industrial suburb in the 19th century, with factories and working-class housing shaping much of its character. It was incorporated into Kraków in the late 19th or early 20th century, adding to the city’s urban fabric. During World War II, the Kraków Ghetto was established in Podgórze, with numerous residents confined there before deportations. The area today contains memorial sites dedicated to that history, including commemorative squares and museums.

Notable sites in Podgórze include the Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory, now the Museum of Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory, which preserves the factory’s wartime history and the story of its workers. Another landmark is the Bernatek Footbridge, a pedestrian crossing over the Vistula that links Podgórze with Kazimierz and provides access to the riverfront. The district also features preserved industrial heritage areas, residential neighborhoods, and green spaces along the river boulevards, reflecting ongoing redevelopment and diversification of housing, culture, and services.

Podgórze continues to evolve as part of Kraków’s broader urban development, balancing its industrial heritage with modern urban living, cultural institutions, and improved pedestrian connections across the river.