The history of the Jews in Poland dates back over 800 years. For centuries, Poland was home to the largest and most significant Jewish community in the world. Poland was the centre of Jewish culture thanks to a long period of statutory religious tolerance and social autonomy. This ended with the Partitions of Poland which began in 1772.
During World War II there was a nearly complete destruction of the Polish Jewish community by Nazi Germany. Since the fall of Communism there has been a Jewish revival in Poland, the situation of Polish Jews became normalized and those who were Polish citizens before World War II were allowed to renew Polish citizenship. Religious institutions were revived, largely through the activities of Jewish foundations from the United States.
ITINERARY:
Day 1- Warsaw
Upon arrival, take a special tour to the Old City- visit to the Church of St. Anne and the Royal Palace. Continue to the New City-see the Heroes Square, the “Saski” Garden and walk through streets, which were destroyed during World War II and now restored. Overnight Warsaw.
Day 2- Jewish Warsaw
After breakfast, depart to visit the Jewish Ghetto, which was established in October 1940. Visit the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes (named Rapaport) and the Heroic Path which was established to mark the 45th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Continue to see 18 Mila Street, the site of the main bunker of the Jewish Fighting organization. Continue to the Transports Square "Umshlagplatz" – the square in Warsaw were Jews gathered to be sent to death camps. Visit the old Jewish cemetery, the restored "Nuzhik" synagogue and the Jewish theater named after Ida Kaminska. In the evening, take a bus tour of the Old City.
Overnight Warsaw.
Day 3-Warsaw-Krakow
After breakfast, depart to Krakow. Upon arrival walk through the main square. Tour Kazimierz- the historical district of Krakow and the Krakow Old City. From there continue to the Ghetto Plaza and the Schindler Museum. Visit the Pankiewicz pharmacy,the Wawel Castle and the Cathedral, where Polish kings are buried. Overnight Krakow
Day 4- Krkov- Auschwitz - Birkenau - Krakow
After breakfast, drive to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Auschwitz is considered as the biggest Nazi concentration and Extermination camp, established on 14th June 1940 and liberated in January of 1945. About 1.5 million people of 28 nationalities lost their lives there, mostly Jews. During the camp evacuation thousand of inmates died in the death march. When the camp was liberated there were about 7 000 prisoners in terrible conditions. After the retreating, part of the camp was destroyed by Germans and the other part became a museum, now known as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Overnight Krakow
Day 5-Krakow-Warsaw
After breakfast, walk to Kazimierz Jewish District quarter of Krakow. Visit the old synagogue "Altschul" which is the oldest synagogue in Poland, visit the Isaac Synagogue and the Jewish Renaissance "Temple". Leave Krakow for Warsaw’s airport.
.jpg)
