These photos were taken in Krakow, Poland in October 2025. Most are from the Kazimierz district. This is the historic Jewish quarter that was established in the 14th century. It was a thriving centre of Jewish life until the German occupation (1939-45) when Jews were forced into the Krakow Ghetto which was liquidated in March 1943. Kazimierz was left derelict during the Communist period, but since 1989 has been restored to become a major tourist centre. There are restored synagogues, klezmer concerts, museums and lively cultural life. See the photos from Remuh shul, one of the few still active in Krakow, that was destroyed by the Nazis and restored in the 1990s. There is also what Ruth Gruber calls “Virtual Jewishness” – representations of Jewish culture without Jews. Some other photos are from Nowa Huta – formerly a steel town in the Communist period. Designed as a utopian socialist new town, Nowa Huta was the largest urban spatial development in postwar Poland – and the abundance of parks makes it one of Kraków’s greenest districts.
Street in the rain. Kazimierz, Krakow
Gate to the Remuh shul.
Remuh Shul interior. Originating from the late 16th century it is one of the oldest in the city
Visitation stone. Remuh Synagogue, one of the oldest preserved Jewish cemeteries in Europe. Destroyed by the Nazis it was later reconstructed.
Stone on grave in Remuh cemetery. Note also to insect visitor!
Central Synagogue, Krakow
The Wall of Tears. Smashed gravestones in Remuh Cemetery now a wall display in the cemetery.
Tram lines in Autumn, Krakow
Tram, Krakow
Steet in Kazimierz with reflections
Street seller. Krakow.
Building, Kazimierz. Grafitti and decay.
Motorbike by restraurant. Kazimierz
Jozefa Street. Kazimierz.
Grafitti in an autumnal square
Cafe Chopin. Kazimierz. Quiet that evening but a good hang out for drinks and company
Bernatek Footbridge over the Wisla. Links Kazimierz with Podgorze. Offers a perspective to the moving subject’s experience of mobility.
Empty chairs. Ghetto Heroes Square, Krakow. The furniture of the prisoners was piled up here and here the selections for transportation to Auchwitz-Birkenau were made
Candle in Starka Restaurant, Kazimierz.
Shop at night, Kazimierz
Cafe de l’Art, Jozefa Street, Kazimierz
Tenament house, 1890 design. Karol Knaus, Krakow
Allyway with bike
Jozefa Street, Kazimierz
Street, Nowa Huta, Krakow
Wide boulevard, Nowa Huta
Residential blocks, Nowa Huta
Arches, Nowa Hutta
People’s Theratre, Nowa Huta
Arches and shadows, Nowa Huta.