Explore 5 UCPlaces digital self-guided tours in Poland

¡Bienvenidos a nuestro tour – Varsovia antes de la guerra! Hoy cuesta imaginarlo, pero antes de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, Varsovia era una de las ciudades judías más grandes, ricas y vibrantes del mundo. Casi un tercio de sus habitantes eran judíos. Las calles estaban llenas de tiendas, cafeterías, periódicos en yiddish, sinagogas, teatros, escuelas e infinita vida. En este tour, intentaremos no solo ver la Varsovia de hoy, sino imaginar la ciudad que hubo aquí una vez. Caminaremos por las calles donde vivieron cientos de miles de judíos, pasaremos junto a lugares que antes de la guerra formaban parte de barrios densos y llenos de vida, y escucharemos historias sobre la cultura, la gente, la política y el mundo que desapareció casi por completo durante la Shoá y la destrucción de la ciudad. Es importante recordar: mucho de lo que ven a su alrededor hoy, simplemente no existía entonces. Varsovia fue destruida casi por completo durante la guerra y reconstruida después. Por eso, a lo largo del tour, intentaremos constantemente conectar la ciudad moderna que les rodea con la ciudad que existía aquí antes de 1939. Este no es solo un tour sobre muerte y destrucción. Es también un tour sobre la vida — sobre una ciudad judía enorme, compleja, moderna y vibrante que fue uno de los centros culturales e intelectuales más importantes de Europa. Así que tómense un momento, miren a su alrededor, e intenten imaginar estas calles antes de la guerra — llenas de gente, idiomas, olores, música y vida. ¡Venga, empezamos!

בְּרוּכִים הַבָּאִים לַסִּיּוּר שֶׁלָּנוּ — וַרְשָׁה שֶׁלִּפְנֵי הַמִּלְחָמָה. הַיּוֹם קָשֶׁה לְדַמְיֵן אֶת זֶה, אֲבָל לִפְנֵי מִלְחֶמֶת הָעוֹלָם הַשְּׁנִיָּה וַרְשָׁה הָיְתָה אַחַת הֶעָרִים הַיְּהוּדִיּוֹת הַגְּדוֹלוֹת, הָעֲשִׁירוֹת וְהַתּוֹסְסוֹת בָּעוֹלָם. כִּמְעַט שְׁלִישׁ מִתּוֹשָׁבֵי הָעִיר הָיוּ יְהוּדִים. הָרְחוֹבוֹת הָיוּ מְלֵאִים בַּחֲנוּיוֹת, בָּתֵּי קָפֶה, עִתּוֹנִים בְּיִידִישׁ, בָּתֵּי כְּנֶסֶת, תֵּאַטְרָאוֹת, בָּתֵּי סֵפֶר וְאֵינְסוֹף חַיִּים. בַּסִּיּוּר הַזֶּה נְנַסֶּה לֹא רַק לִרְאוֹת אֶת וַרְשָׁה שֶׁל הַיּוֹם — אֶלָּא לְדַמְיֵן אֶת הָעִיר שֶׁהָיְתָה כָּאן פַּעַם. נֵלֵךְ בָּרְחוֹבוֹת שֶׁבָּהֶם חָיוּ מֵאוֹת אַלְפֵי יְהוּדִים, נַעֲבֹר לְיַד מְקוֹמוֹת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי הַמִּלְחָמָה הָיוּ חֵלֶק מִשְּׁכוּנוֹת צְפוּפוֹת וּמְלֵאוֹת חַיִּים, וְנִשְׁמַע סִפּוּרִים עַל הַתַּרְבּוּת, הָאֲנָשִׁים, הַפּוֹלִיטִיקָה וְהָעוֹלָם שֶׁנֶּעֱלַם כִּמְעַט לַחֲלוּטִין בְּמַהֲלַךְ הַשּׁוֹאָה וְהַחֻרְבָּן שֶׁל הָעִיר. חָשׁוּב לִזְכֹּר: הַרְבֵּה מִמָּה שֶׁאַתֶּם רוֹאִים סְבִיבְכֶם הַיּוֹם פָּשׁוּט לֹא הָיָה קַיָּם אָז. וַרְשָׁה נֶהֶרְסָה בְּצוּרָה כִּמְעַט מֻחְלֶטֶת בְּמַהֲלַךְ הַמִּלְחָמָה וְנִבְנְתָה מֵחָדָשׁ לְאַחֲרֶיהָ. לָכֵן, לְאֹרֶךְ הַסִּיּוּר נְנַסֶּה כָּל הַזְּמַן לְחַבֵּר בֵּין הָעִיר הַמּוֹדֶרְנִית שֶׁסְּבִיבְכֶם לְבֵין הָעִיר שֶׁהָיְתָה כָּאן לִפְנֵי 1939. זֶה לֹא רַק סִיּוּר עַל מָוֶת וְחֻרְבָּן. זֶהוּ גַּם סִיּוּר עַל חַיִּים — עַל עִיר יְהוּדִית עֲצוּמָה, מֻרְכֶּבֶת, מוֹדֶרְנִית וְתוֹסֶסֶת שֶׁהָיְתָה מֶרְכָּז תַּרְבּוּתִי וְאִינְטֵלֶקְטוּאָלִי מֵהַחֲשׁוּבִים בְּאֵירוֹפָּה. אָז קְחוּ רֶגַע, הִסְתַּכְּלוּ סָבִיב, וְנַסּוּ לְדַמְיֵן אֶת הָרְחוֹבוֹת הָאֵלֶּה לִפְנֵי הַמִּלְחָמָה — מְלֵאִים בַּאֲנָשִׁים, שָׂפוֹת, רֵיחוֹת, מוּזִיקָה וְחַיִּים. יַאלְלָה, מַתְחִילִים.

Hello and welcome to this UCPlaces tour of Kraków, Poland’s former royal capital and a UNESCO World Heritage city, a place where history and culture intertwine across centuries. This walking tour begins at the majestic Basilica of St. Florian, a church with deep historical ties to Kraków’s patron saint and Poland’s royal processions. From here, we move through Plac Jana Matejki, named for Poland’s most celebrated historical painter, where grand monuments and architectural splendor tell stories of national pride and resilience. As we enter Old Town, the heart of medieval Kraków, we will stroll down streets once walked by kings, scholars, and merchants, passing Gothic churches, Renaissance palaces, and the echoes of the city’s golden age. Finally, our journey concludes along the Vistula River, the lifeblood of the city, where Kraków’s history stretches from medieval trade routes to modern urban renewal. We will explore culinary delights along the way and visit the wondrous Wawel Castle. This tour offers a deep dive into the cultural and historical layers of Kraków, revealing a city shaped by faith, resilience, and artistic brilliance. Our journey today will take us about one and a half miles at a time of roughly three hours. The terrain is fairly flat, but still. Comfortable walking shoes are encouraged. My name is Dave, and I am pleased to be your co-pilot today as we explore the city. Follow your GPS and we will begin shortly. We begin today on Swietego Filipa, where there are two main parking lots if you drove today, as well as public transportation stops if you joined us that way. You see that beautiful church? Me too. Let’s get started.

Hello and welcome to this UCPlaces tour of Warsaw Poland. Sometimes referred to as the "Phoenix City" because of its rebirth and reconstruction after World War II. Here we will see how history and modernity blend seamlessly along its cobblestone streets and towering skyscrapers. As you embark on this walking tour, you'll explore a city that has risen from the ashes of its tumultuous past to become a symbol of resilience and renewal. From the charming Old Town, meticulously reconstructed after World War II, to the regal Royal Castle, and the haunting remnants of the Warsaw Ghetto, each landmark tells a story of courage, culture, and the enduring spirit of Warsaw. My name is Dave, and I will be your co-pilot today. Hopefully you are wearing comfortable walking shoes, as we will travel roughly 3 miles, but will take breaks at wonderful spots to soak in the atmosphere. We will begin today on the edge of Old Town Warsaw on Krasinskich Street. There are parking lots on each side of the street if you drove here, or if you used public transportation, there are stops here as well. Follow your navigation, and let’s explore!

Hello and welcome to this UCPlaces tour of Wroclaw Poland. This wondrous city in eastern Poland has seen it all and has the scars to prove it. Sometimes referred to as the “Venice of The North '' due to its large number of waterways and islands is sure to provide curious visitors a journey to remember. Our tour will begin on the banks of the Fosa Miejska canal, boasting several memorials, monuments and beautiful scenery. There is a large underground parking garage here under Wolności Square that is a suitable place to embark from. It is part of the National Forum of Music building. The top of the parking garage is sometimes used by local vendors during festivals, and is also sometimes used as an area to skate. The entrance to the parking lot is from Krupnicza and Zamkowa streets. The entrances and elevators to the parking lot from the square level are covered with glass shelters. Ok, let’s get going and see Wroclaw!