KL Plaszow Memorial Site – A New Museum is Coming Soon to Krakow (June 2025 Update)

Krakow’s historical landscape is evolving – and one of its most somber sites is finally receiving the attention it deserves.
The former Nazi German labour and concentration camp known as KL Plaszow is currently undergoing a transformation into a full-scale memorial and museum. The opening of the new facility is planned for late 2025, marking a major step in preserving and presenting the memory of one of the darkest chapters in Krakow’s wartime history.

Established in 1942 on the southern outskirts of the city, KL Plaszow was initially intended as a forced labour camp for Jews deported from the Krakow Ghetto. It was later expanded into a concentration camp. Prisoners were subjected to brutal working conditions, abuse, and executions. The site became infamous under the command of Amon Göth – a figure widely recognized through Ralph Fiennes’ portrayal in Schindler’s List.

Despite its historical weight, the area remained largely neglected for decades. Overgrown and unmarked, it was known only to a few locals, historians, and those who sought it out deliberately. The only indicators of its past were a series of scattered informational boards and the striking Monument to the Victims of Fascism – a concrete sculpture that stood as a silent witness to the atrocities committed there.

Now, for the first time in over 80 years, the site is being carefully reshaped. A new memorial building, educational spaces, and marked walking paths are being developed to give KL Plaszow the recognition it has long lacked – not just as a historical footnote, but as a place of remembrance, education, and public awareness.

What’s Being Built?

A new museum and memorial complex is currently under construction on the site. The project is led by the City of Krakow in cooperation with the Polish Ministry of Culture.

Key features include:

• A Memorial Building, partially underground and integrated into the hillside, with exhibitions, educational spaces, and archival resources
• A pedestrian tunnel connecting the building directly to the former camp area
• The restoration of the historical Grey House, a former camp building that will house a permanent exhibition and mediatheque
• An open-air sound monument and detailed information signage across the site
• Educational paths that respectfully trace the layout of the original camp

As of June 2025, the second floor of the Memorial is structurally complete, interior masonry work has begun, and construction of the tunnel is underway.

What Can You Visit Now?

Even before the museum officially opens, much of the KL Plaszow site is already accessible and worth visiting:

• The original camp grounds, preserved in a natural state, with clear paths and educational signage
• The outdoor exhibition KL Plaszow: A Place After, A Place Without, which presents the camp’s history through maps, photographs, and survivor testimony
• The Grey House, currently under renovation but expected to serve as a future visitor and education centre
• Several key memorial spots, including the roll-call square, cemeteries, and monuments, are already marked and accessible to the public

This makes Plaszow a compelling site for reflection – especially for travellers interested in World War II history, Jewish heritage, or the broader legacy of the Holocaust in Poland.

Other WWII Memorial Sites in Krakow

Krakow offers many important places where you can trace the city’s wartime history and the impact of the Holocaust. If you're planning a deeper historical itinerary, consider visiting:

• Kazimierz Jewish Quarter – once the centre of Jewish life in Krakow, today a vibrant district with historic synagogues and museums
• Schindler’s Factory Museum – a powerful narrative of life in Krakow during the Nazi occupation, including the story of Oskar Schindler and the Krakow Ghetto
• Ghetto Heroes Square – the site of deportations and commemorative installation of empty chairs representing victims of the Krakow Ghetto
• The Eagle Pharmacy – located on the square, this museum tells the story of Tadeusz Pankiewicz, the only non-Jewish resident allowed to remain in the ghetto
• KL Plaszow – now undergoing transformation into a full museum and memorial site
• Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum – a must-visit for those seeking a full understanding of the Holocaust in occupied Poland
• Home Army Museum (Muzeum Armii Krajowej) – dedicated to Poland’s underground resistance during WWII, with exhibitions on the Polish Secret State, sabotage missions, and the human stories behind the fight for independence
• Liban Quarry (Kamieniołom Liban) – a former forced labour site used during WWII and later a filming location for Schindler’s List. Today it’s abandoned and overgrown; entry is unofficial and at your own risk

These locations form a powerful and sobering network of memorials and museums. Many of them are located in Krakow’s Podgórze district, the site of the former ghetto, and can be visited together on foot – including Schindler’s Factory, the Ghetto Heroes Square, the Eagle Pharmacy, and the remnants of the ghetto wall. From there, it’s also possible to reach KL Plaszow and the Liban Quarry by tram or walking.

Practical Information

• The Memorial Building is planned to open in late 2025, depending on construction progress
• The former camp grounds are open to the public and free of charge, with information boards in Polish and English
• For updates and official information, visit: https://plaszow.org

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is KL Plaszow open to visitors now?
Yes, the outdoor area of the former camp is open to the public and free of charge. You can walk the marked paths and visit the open-air exhibition and monuments.

When will the museum officially open?
The Memorial building is scheduled to open in late 2025, but this may change depending on construction progress.

How do I get to KL Plaszow from the city centre?
You can reach KL Plaszow by tram (approx. 25–30 minutes from the centre) or by taxi. Walking from Schindler’s Factory takes about 40–50 minutes.

Can I visit Plaszow and Schindler’s Factory on the same day?
Yes. Many visitors combine Schindler’s Factory with KL Plaszow as part of a broader WWII itinerary.

Is the site accessible for people with reduced mobility?
Parts of the terrain are uneven and not fully adapted yet. Accessibility is expected to improve with the opening of the new Memorial.

Are guided tours available at KL Plaszow?
At the moment, there are no regular guided tours. However, self-guided visits are possible, and events may be organized by local institutions.

Final Thoughts

KL Plaszow has long remained a quiet and often overlooked part of Krakow’s WWII history. But that is changing. With a new museum on the horizon, this once-forgotten space is becoming a place of learning, memory, and respectful commemoration.

Whether you are planning a visit to Schindler’s Factory, exploring Jewish Krakow, or preparing for a day trip to Auschwitz, include KL Plaszow in your journey. It is not only a site of historical importance, but also a space that invites reflection – on the lives lost, and the lessons we still carry forward.