• Plac Centralny Imienia Ronalda Reagana - Situated in the Nowa Huta district of Kraków, Poland, Plac Centralny im. Ronalda Reagana is a notable landmark with a rich historical background and distinctive architectural style. Conceived in the 1950s as part of the Soviet-influenced development of Nowa Huta, the square was designed to exemplify socialist urban planning. Its layout includes broad avenues and grand, neoclassical structures, reflecting the vision of a workers’ utopia.

Nowa Huta was constructed as a self-sufficient city to support the adjacent steelworks, with Plac Centralny as its centerpiece, initially named after Joseph Stalin. Following political shifts in Poland, it was renamed to honor Ronald Reagan, acknowledging his contribution to the fall of communism.

• Rose Alley - Aleja Róż (Avenue of Roses) is one of the most renowned streets in Nowa Huta, Kraków’s district from the socialist era. It was part of the original urban design in the 1950s, when Nowa Huta was established as a model city for industrial workers. Aleja Róż was intended to be a grand, central boulevard embodying the principles of socialist realism, with expansive, tree-lined paths bordered by monumental, neoclassical buildings.

The avenue derives its name from the rose gardens that once adorned the street, adding a touch of natural beauty to the otherwise stark environment. In its early years, Aleja Róż was the center of public life in Nowa Huta, hosting parades, official events, and cultural activities.

• Monument of IS-2 Tank - Although Nowa Huta was designed as a tranquil workers’ town, its strategic importance as an industrial center and proximity to the steelworks linked it closely with the military. The IS-2 tank, once a formidable weapon, now stands as a static reminder of that era, providing a historical contrast to the peaceful, residential nature of the neighborhood today.

For history enthusiasts and visitors, the IS-2 tank offers an intriguing visual connection to World War II and the Cold War era, while also serving as a photo opportunity and a tangible piece of the district’s Soviet history.

• Church of Our Lady Queen of Poland - Designed by architect Wojciech Pietrzyk, the church’s structure resembles an ark, symbolizing both hope and salvation, which led to its nickname, “The Ark of the Lord.” The church became a symbol of defiance and spiritual resilience during a period when the communist regime in Poland opposed religious expression and delayed the construction of churches. Nowa Huta was initially envisioned as a secular, socialist city without any place for religion, but the persistent demands of the local population for a church led to a decade-long struggle that culminated in the building of Arka Pana.
• Monument of Remembrance Bogdan Włosik - The Pomnik Bogdana Włosika (Bogdan Włosik Monument) is a touching memorial located in Nowa Huta dedicated to the memory of Bogdan Włosik, a young 20-year-old worker who was tragically shot by a Security Service (Służba Bezpieczeństwa) officer during a peaceful demonstration in October 1982, at the height of martial law in Poland.
• Teatr Ludowy - Teatr Ludowy (The People’s Theatre) in Nowa Huta, Kraków, is a leading cultural institution and one of the most important examples of post-war theater in Poland. Opened in 1955, Teatr Ludowy was established during the peak of socialist realism, serving as a focal point of cultural life in Nowa Huta, the model socialist city built to support the nearby steelworks.
• Pomnik Krzyża Nowohuckiego - The Pomnik Krzyża Nowohuckiego (Monument of the Nowa Huta Cross) is a significant symbol of faith and resistance located in Kraków’s Nowa Huta district. The cross marks the site of one of the most crucial moments in the community’s struggle against the communist regime, which had originally planned Nowa Huta as a secular, socialist city with no room for religion.

• Local licensed guide

• tips
• personal expenses

Medieval Kraków is filled with stunning Gothic churches and historic monuments. Just 10 km from the Old Town lies Nowa Huta, a district established post-World War II by the communists as a model socialist urban area. Visitors are encouraged to explore this truly unique and lesser-known part of Kraków.

“Nowa Huta” translates to “new steel mill” in English. This enormous industrial complex, along with a residential area for its workers, was constructed at the behest of the communist government after the war. The district was designed to stand in stark contrast to the ‘old’ Kraków, known for its religious traditions and anti-socialist views. Nowa Huta was envisioned as a city for the ‘new people’, living without religious influence, embracing communist ideals, and following the leadership of the Communist Party.

During this 2-hour walking tour of Nowa Huta, a local guide will lead participants through the history of its construction and the utopian concepts behind this socialist city.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.