We got up early as we couldn’t get an online Schindler’s Factory ticket – they were sold out. We had to queue – and the queues could be very long. When we arrived at 9.10 am there were only about 20 in the queue and we were in by 9.40am. 

It’s a huge museum taking you through the start of WWII through the war and all the atrocities to the end when the soviets arrive.

There’s lots of photos, film and memorabilia – and a lot of reading to do. There was a cinema area early on with Schindler’s survivors telling their stories which was great. The rest was then about what happened to Jews in Krakow. 

Roman Polanski was in the ghetto but his father arranged for a friend to hide him as he didn’t look like a Jew – or as Jews were perceived to look like.

Only at the very end was a big information board on how Schindler bribed the Germans to make sure his workers were not taken away – and at one point he had to retrieve some from a concentration camp. The museum was very good though. 

I came out first and the others were about half an hour behind. I went to the cafe round the corner for coffee and cinnamon bun. The others eventually came out and had either the same or pizza.

Revived, we then walked south to get to Krakus mound – supposedly a 10th century burial mound on top of a hill. Archeology had been done on it finding evidence of life there as far back as the 8th century. But no burial was found. However it’s a great location to get great views across the city. 

A concentration camp had been located in the quarry. The Schindlers List created a stage set as a concentration camp there. It looks a bit too real!

We then walked down the other side to get a bus and tram to the old town. Lisa and I left the boys to find a beer bar. 

We bought tickets to see St Mary’s basilica. It’s free to see from the foyer but a ticket allows you inside. 

It was amazing! The altar was very bright and shiny – probably made from gold. The roof of stars was lovely. There were very old paintings by famous painters and every bit of space was decorated.

After a good walk around and many photos we left. We then checked out a few shops including amber stores. The problem is it’s hard to know if the amber is genuine. We went back in the cloth hall and around the stalls in the temporary market. 

We then tracked down the boys and we all headed back to the campsite. 

Sean made a nice tuna pasta and we enjoyed a few glasses of red wine before eventually getting to bed.