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Nowa Huta

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    Nowa Huta

    The communist dream of an ideal city

    Nowa Huta (in polacco: La Nuova Acciaieria) è stata una delle due città al mondo progettate e costruite da zero nello spirito del Realismo Socialista. I comunisti sognavano di creare una città ideale, che avrebbe oscurato Cracovia, considerata il baluardo della tradizione e dell’ostilità verso gli ideali socialisti.

    Durante il tour guidato della città di Cracovia avrai l’opportunità di vedere la straordinaria architettura, paradossalmente, ispirata alle conquiste del modernismo dell’Europa occidentale. Nella Piazza Centrale rimarrai stupito dalla simmetria, dalla monumentalità e dal fascino grezzo di questo grande spazio urbano. Ti mostreremo gli aspetti più interessanti e le assurdità della vita nel complesso residenziale di Nowa Huta. L’utopia comunista non ha funzionato nella realtà. Gli abitanti della città socialista ideale entrarono rapidamente in conflitto con le autorità socialiste. Durante il tour ti racconteremo la straordinaria storia de L’Arca del Signore – la prima Chiesa costruita a Nowa Huta.

    Dopo il crollo del sistema comunista, i nomi delle strade sono cambiati (l’ex Via Lenin è ora il Viale della Solidarietà), ma lo spirito dei vecchi tempi è ancora presente qui. Il nostro tour è un’opportunità per percepire questa atmosfera unica. Ti garantiamo che proverai una vasta gamma di emozioni: sarai deliziato, terrorizzato, commosso e divertito. Ti sembra interessante? Scegli il nostro tour.

    Guided tour in English, German, Swedish or Polish

    Tour adjusted to the age, interest and needs. Your anticipations will be our top priority!

    Duration: 2-4 h, depending on the selected option of sightseeing

    Possible break for lunch. Dinner packages on offer

    Licensed Krakow city guide with excellent knowledge and sense of humour

    Starting Point: Tadeusz Sendzimir Steelworks – the main gate

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    Guida di Nowa Huta Itinerario

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    tadeusz-sendzimir-steelworks

    Tadeusz Sendzimir Steelworks

    An industrial plant which needs internal bus lines because of its gigantic size. Built in the Stalin era and originally named after Vladimir Lenin. Intriguing, monumental architecture of administration buildings and dreary industrial installations located in a vast area create an unusual, slightly dark atmosphere.

    the-solidarity-avenue

    The Solidarity Avenue

    Originally The Avenue of the labor leaders, and since 1958 The Avenue of Vladimir Lenin (oh, what a surprise…). One of the main arteries of Nowa Huta. Spectacular alley connects the Central Square and steelworks. It was the so-called ‘axis of work’. The main goal of the designers was to create an ideal place to live for the working class. These ideological assumptions are extremely visible.

    jan-matejkos-manor-house-in-krzeslawice

    Jan Matejko's Manor House in Krzesławice

    Nowa Huta is much more than the Socialist Realism! We will also visit monuments much older than the district, but situated on its territory. One of them is a charming rural mansion once belonged to the eminent painter Jan Matejko. Explore the life and works of extraordinary artist. Its also an opportunity to see excerpt of the rural reality, which existed in these areas, before the Communists got down to work.

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    The Wanda and Willowe housing estates

    The oldest housing estates in the district. The chance to hear extraordinary stories about the first inhabitants of Nowa Huta and see the buildings they lived. Most of these people came from neighboring villages. Some moved into blocks with livestock! How the designers of Nowa Huta imagined an ideal urban living space? Come with us and find out! 

    cistercian-abbey-in-mogila

    Cistercian Abbey in Mogila

    The interiors of the medieval abbey (located in the former village Mogiła) hiding numerous treasures – the outstanding works of art. and rich library. Particularly worthy of note are dazzling wall paintings by eminent artist, Stanislaw Samostrzelnik, who lived at the turn of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

    plac-centralny

    Plac Centralny (Central Square)

    The heart of Nowa Huta. Monumental buildings with arcades on the ground floors and other intriguing solutions applied here by designers (architects – Tadeusz Ptaszycki, Marta and Janusz Ingarden) truely can delight. All the main thoroughfares of Nowa Huta spread out symmetrically from the square.

    the-avenue-of-roses

    The Avenue of Roses

    One of the main avenues leading from the Central Square. Plenty of rose bushes were planted along the alley (especially in 60s and 70s). The statue of Vladimir Lenin – visible from the Central Square – stood there untill 1989. Actually, with a little break. In 1979 the monument was blown up. As we already mentioned, the residents of Nowa Huta did not sympathized to the system.

    stylowa-restaurant

    Stylowa Restaurant

    The oldest Restaurant in Nowa Huta. The name means ‘stylish’. Indeed, the restaurant presents a unique ‘style’. The interior design refers to the 70s. Stucco,  chandeliers, columns and marble floors – this is the socialist realist idea of the elegant interior. Do You want to feel the atmosphere straight from the communist era? The restaurant is still running. Absolutely amazing journey in time. 

    swit-cinema

    Świt Cinema

    One of our favorite social realist buildings in Nowa Huta. With its monumental colonnade it looks more like headquarters of some important office. Restored neon of the ’50s over the entrance and original staircase and chandeliers inside – you simply have to see it. The name means ‘Dawn’ (a typical example of pompous naming in the era of communism).

    ludowy-theatre

    Ludowy Theatre

    A chance to learn something about the cultural and intelectual life of Nowa Huta. The Ludowy Theatre (name means: the theatre of the people) always has an excellent team and repertoire. Today it is still one of the most important dramatic scenes in Poland. Moreover, the theater building is another example of fascinating architecture. Note the interesting layout of solids. We are also delighted with the original lettering in the neon over the entrance. 

    Zwiedzanie Nowej Huty - Arka Pana

    The Arc of Lord Church

    Residents of the city fought a long battle with the authorities to build here a new church. It came to numerous, brutally repressed street demonstrations. Finally the Communists capitulated. The church was consecrated in 1977 by the future pope, bishop Karol Wojtyla. Nowadays the Arc of Lord is a symbol of victorious struggle for religious and personal freedom.

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    About Us

    We offer guided tours in three languages adjusted for age and expectations. We provide a wide choice of routes. We take care of every detail and perfect preparation. Let us invite You for an extraordinary adventure in the Royal City!

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    tel. +48 500 820 533
    tel. +48 532 555 180
    guideskrakow@gmail.com
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    • Trasy Zwiedzania
      • TOP5
        • Kazimierz – il quartiere ebraico
        • Nowa Huta
      • Dla Turystów
      • Dla Pielgrzymów
      • Dla Szkół
    • O Krakowie
    • O Nas & Kontakt
      • Organizacja
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