About us
The idea of creating the company Kroke Jewish Tours was based on many factors. We have observed after so many years of guiding thousands tourists that there is a high interest in learning about Jewish Krakow - Jewish history, WWII, the Holocaust, Schindler’s List, Communism, and the Jewish revival in Poland. All of these interests can be seen in Krakow at museums, centres for cultures, institutions, events, restaurants, and concerts. As local Krakowians, we have witnessed many of these changes because we grew up here while our ancestors shared with us many stories of the past.
All of these things inspired us to create tours that covers Jewish Krakow in much greater depth. We want to share with you the knowledge we acquired at universities, lectures, and other educational courses. Our participation in Jewish festivals and volunteering in the Jewish community has given us the experience and understanding of what Jewish life is in Krakow. We are not only knowledgeable about this topic, but are also very passionate about educating tourists on both the past and present of Jewish life in Krakow.
Why is this so important to us? Jews have been in Poland for over 800 years and have also been living in Krakow since the beginning. The Jewish people are not only neighbours of Pols, but share a history and homeland too. We cannot forget about the tragic history of the Holocaust, but we should also focus on the present and future of Jewish life here.
We are helping build a Jewish future in Krakow!
Eliza Mrozińska
It is a privilege for me to be a tour guide in Krakow and show the city through my eyes. I became a professional certified guide because I believe in quality not quantity. I love to wander around Kazimierz and show all the sites related to the Jewish culture and history.
I was born in Krakow - Podgorze, on the right bank of the Vistula River in 1975. My family came to Krakow at the end of 19th century, so I am the fourth generation living here. I am really proud of my family history and feel very connected to this city. I graduated with my MA in Tourism and Hotel Industry at the University of Physical Education in Krakow. But history has always been my passion. Learning about the past is like taking a journey back in time.
I have been fascinated with Jewish culture since I was in high school. I knew that Kazimierz was once a Jewish area, but at the time not a lot of information could be found about the history of Kazimierz and the people who lived there. After the war the area was abandoned, there were vandalized buildings and empty synagogues which created an empty and negative atmosphere. This all changed in the mid-1990s when Steven Spielberg filmed Schidler's List in Krakow. The film exposed Kazimierz and its history to the world, resulting in new investments and restoration. Kazimierz is now the best preserved Jewish district in Europe and is one of the most popular areas for locals to hang out.
After my receiving my diploma, I went to the US and spent over four years living in Philadelphia. While living there, I was involved in Jewish life and learned more about Jewish history and what it meant for these families to migrate to the US with a new beginning. I think this also had an influence as to why I became a tour guide in Krakow. I came back to Krakow in 2006 and noticed many changes in Krakow and Kazimierz district. There were so many transformations, but what was most important was that a Jewish community had been established. The city felt alive again.
I decided to improve my knowledge about Judaism, Jews in Krakow, and the Holocaust and took a course at Jagiellonian University. During this time I also became a volunteer at the Jewish Community Center of Krakow (JCC). Getting know the Jewish members, speaking with tourists, and being a part of the community gave me first-hand knowledge of what was happening here. I continue to cooperate with the JCC and provide tours for Jewish tourists and also for participants of the event Ride For The Living organized by the JCC.
I also love to sit down with a cup of coffee and talk about politics, economics, and public relations. I really appreciate my client’s stories because there is always something new to learn. Through these last ten years of being a tour guide, I have gained so much experience and knowledge that I am able to accommodate people’s different preferences and needs. I really enjoy my job because I like people and I like what I do.
Agnieszka Misina
I have over 10 years of experience in tourism and working with English and French speaking tourists from all over the world. What I've enjoyed most throughout all of these years is having opportunity to meet people from all over the world and show them my city
I was born in Krakow in 1980. I was raised among historical monuments, relics of history, and a city with so much culture that from a young age I became very passionate about Krakow. Discovering Jewish Kazimierz (while it was neglected and unknown) was one of those experiences that makes an impact on your life. In the shadows of Saint Mary's Church and Wawel Castle I saw abandoned synagogues and Jewish houses where Jewish people no longer lived.
I graduated with my MA in French Language and Literature at Jagiellonian University and became a licensed Krakow tour guide.
... my city that has changed and flourished so much over last few years. Kazimierz is no longer abandoned and marked by the absence of Jewish inhabitants, but is now a vibrant place where four synagogues are operating, where the largest Jewish Culture Festival takes place, and thanks to the JCC we can discuss not only Jewish past and present but also the future.
