Kraków, Poland

The beautiful city of Kraków was largely spared the ravages of the Second World War. When the NAZIs invaded Poland on 1st September 1939 their main target was Warsaw. This city, and its approaches, was largely destroyed but the rest of the country saw less action. Many towns and villages were destroyed in the post-invasion period but Kraków escaped the worst although some damage was done. Some 70,000 Kraków Jews were placed in the Kraków ghetto and, subesequently, to concentration camps particularly nearby Auschwitz. Most did not survive.

By the time that the Russians invaded from the east, on 17th September, Poland was in too weak a state to resist so Kraków, again, saw little fighting.

Later in the War Kraków’s location largely immunised it from the Allied bombing effort.

The main reasons for the subsequent deterioration of the city was the neglect suffered in post-war years under communist rule. With the ending of that era in 1989, Krakow is now being restored to its former, pre-war glory and reminds us of what so much of Europe looked like pre-1939.

The main reasons for the subsequent deterioration of the city was the neglect suffered in post-war years under communist rule. With the ending of that era in 1989, Krakow is now being restored to its former, pre-war glory and reminds us of what so much of Europe looked like pre-1939.

The few images that follow are shot mainly around the Kraków area.