2h30

About this activity

The tour starts with a story of a few traveling medieval merchants, goes through centuries when this part of Europe was home to the largest Jewish community in the world, explores distinctive form of life and culture of Polish Jews, their social, economic and political evolution, all the way until extermination during World War Two.
But Holocaust isn`t the end. The exhibition goes on to present times, telling what happened to Polish Jews who survived the war, how was their life in communism and how is it today.
The Core Exhibition consists of 8 galleries:
• The Forest
• First Encounters (960-around 1500)
• Paradisus Iudaeorum (1569-1648)
• Shtetl – a Jewish Town (1648-1772)
• Encounters with Modernity (1772-1914)
• On the Jewish Street (1918-1939)
• Holocaust (1939-1945)
• Postwar (1945 to the present)You will tour a very modern, interactive exhibition that makes the Polin Museum the most spectacular new museum in Poland. In 2016 it received European Museum of the Year Award.
The building itself is a result of international competition. It was designed by Finnish architect Rainer Mahlamakki, who first had to take into consideration the location of the Museum: in what used to be the very heart of Jewish Warsaw, later turned by the Nazis into the ghetto.
We believe he did a great job. When was the last time you saw a glass building on the site of genocide? Never, it never happens. It`s an incredible statement of hope in the place of tragedy.
For the locals, the Museum has become an icon of modern architecture in Warsaw. We also believe it is the face of new Poland – it`s about light, transparency, reflection, openness.
The Museum brings a balance to our memory. For most people in the world, the story of Polish Jews is the story of Holocaust. Unfortunately, genocide overshadowed what had been before.
The tour starts at 3 pm. Before, you can join our morning Jewish Warsaw and Ghetto Walking Tour, which ends at 1:30 pm in the Polin Museum. Thus, you will have an hour and a half for lunch.
The tour will end by 5:30 pm. Before closing the Museum at 6 pm, you will still have time to look into the Museum`s store with wonderful collection of books (also in English) and gifts.
The tour is led by one of our professional tour guides, certified by the Polin Museum. To pass the exams and get the Museum`s certificate is a real challenge for Warsaw tour guides. Thus, you can be sure that you will be guided by a real expert on Jewish history and culture.
We are a circle of friends, very approachable and friendly. We always provide a personal touch and experience, too!
We look forward to seeing you on the tour!

Included