Eagle Pharmacy (Apteka pod Orlem)
plac Bohaterów Getta 18, Kraków, Poland, 30-547
When Tadeusz Pankiewicz became the only Pole allowed to work within the boundaries of the Krakow Ghetto—made in 1941 to segregate the city's Jewish population—his Eagle Pharmacy (Apteka Pod Orłem) became an important place of refuge and resistance against Nazi power. Today, the pharmacy is a branch of the Historical Museum of Krakow.
The basics
Much like Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory, the Eagle Pharmacy was an important source of defiance and opposition to the Nazis who controlled Krakow during World War II. Jewish families came to the site for supplies like medicine, vaccines, and hair dye to change their looks. It also served as a hiding place for members of the Jewish community, as well as a safe spot for Jewish leaders to meet and share information.
The pharmacy was restored to look just as it did during wartime to give the feeling of walking back into time, and to give a glimpse of life in the Krakow Ghetto. Like Schindler, Pankiewicz helped save thousands of Jews and later received the Righteous Among the Nations award. Many guided tours of Kazimierz, the city’s Jewish quarter, and Podgórze, a historic district that became the Krakow Ghetto in 1941, will pass by the pharmacy.
Things to know before you go
- Timed reservations may be made online on the museum's website, but not on the same day of entry.
- Entry is limited, so reservations are encouraged.
- Visitors are encouraged to open the pharmacy’s chests, drawers, and cupboards, where they will find artifacts, photos, and other items that give insight into life in the Krakow Ghetto.
How to get there
Krakow's historic Eagle Pharmacy is located in Podgórze. From most points in the city, you can reach the site by using a ride-hailing service or by taking the city tram. Many people pair their visit with a tour of Kazimierz and Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory, all located in the southern area of the city near the Vistula River.
When to get there
The Eagle Pharmacy is open year-round from Wednesday to Sunday from mid-morning until late afternoon. Morning is often the best time to visit, as it will be the least busy. Wednesdays are the museum's free day, but check the website for any closures or changes to the schedule.
Krakow's Memory Trail
Pomorska Street (Gestapo Headquarters), Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory, and Eagle Pharmacy are all a part of the Historical Museum of Krakow's Memory Trail. Each site is a historic building turned branch of the museum that gives visitors an intimate, hands-on look at the city before, during, and after WWII (in 1939, 1945, and 1956 specifically).
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