2024 marks the 80th Anniversary of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising and the 85th Anniversary of the outbreak of WWII. On this tour, we will show you the important sites of both events as well as other interesting and important sites throughout Poland.
If your travels in Poland are more time-limited, consider booking a place on one of our WWII Day Tours in Poland. Or, if you’d like to create a completely customised tour with us, simply get in touch.
*Check the Schengen Visa website (https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/who-needs-schengen-visa/) for the Poland Visa entry requirements of your country. Alternatively, please check with the Polish Embassy or Consulate in your country. Poland At War Tours in not responsible for Passport or Visa issues relating to entry to Poland.
Check into Warsaw Hotel
Bus Tour of Warsaw
Welcome Dinner Polish Restaurant
Warsaw Ghetto
On this tour we visit the few city blocks that at its peak housed up to 450,000 Jews and identify sites of interest throughout the area of the ghetto. Those sites include the areas of the large and small ghetto’s, the site of the bridge between the ghetto’s, remnants of the ghetto wall, remaining buildings from the ghetto, the Umschlagplatz Memorial from where Jews were loaded onto trains and transported to the Treblinka Extermination Camp, among many other sites of significance. Also learn about the remarkable 1943 Ghetto Uprising where the Jews fought for freedom. We further highlight the rebuilding effort that was carried out after the war and you will be able to see and touch the debris buried beneath the new construction.
Gestapo HQ
Gestapo Headquarters in Warsaw was located on the infamous Szucha Street. Polish prisoners held in the Pawiak Prison, would be collected, and driven across Warsaw to Gestapo HQ where they would be interrogated, tortured and in many cases murdered. A mound of ash was found in the courtyard of the building when liberated.
Katyn Museum
The Soviet Union invaded Poland on 17 September 1939, honouring their non-aggression pact with Hitler and Nazi Germany. Invading from the East, the Soviets had not declared war on Poland and entered her borders under the auspices of peace – until they had disarmed Polish soldiers and taken them into captivity. The Soviets rounded up those among the captured who were Polish Officers and other intelligentsia. On the direct written order of Stalin, over 22,000 Polish Officers and other intelligentsia were murdered by the NKVD by gunshot wound to the back of head. All 22,000 victims were buried in mass graves in the forests of Russia, including the Katyn Forrest. In 1943, these mass graves were found by the retreating Germans who made much propaganda of the find. The Soviets however denied any culpability and instead cut off diplomatic ties with Poland for daring to question them. After the war, the families of the Katyn victims were persecuted by Communist authorities. The deaths of the 22,000 Polish officers remains a deep wound in the psyche of the Polish state. Many believe the Katyn Massacre was the beginning of the Cold War. In 1990, Russia finally admitted their perpetration of the Katyn Massacre when they released their papers to the newly democratic Polish Government.
Warsaw Rising Museum
Opened on 31 July 2004 to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising. At 1700hrs on 1 August 1944 – “Godzina W” or “W Hour” (Fighting Hour) – the Polish Armia Krajow (Home Army) rose up in defiance of German occupation in a desperate fight to regain Poland’s independence against the occupier. Learn about the fate of the insurgents in their struggle for freedom as well as that of Warsaw’s civilians. In all, 220,000 Pole’s lost their live in the 63 days of the Uprising & suffered the destruction of 85% of Warsaw that Hitler ordered razed to the ground in retribution for the Pole’s daring to defy him.
Walking Tour – Warsaw Old Town
Warsaw’s Stare Miasto (Old Town) was established in the 13th century on the banks of the Vistula River. Completely destroyed during WWII, it was meticulously rebuilt in the years following the war based on the paintings and drawings of pre-war artists and architectural students. Old Town was the site of some of the heaviest fighting during the Warsaw Uprising that began on 1 August 1944. During our tour we will visit:
1944 Warsaw Uprising – Godzina W
At 1700hrs on 1 August 1944, with permission granted by the Polish Government-in-Exile in London, the Polish Armia Krajowa (AK), under the Command of General Wladyslaw “Bor” Komorowski, launched the Warsaw phase of “Operation Tempest”, that has become known as the 1944 Warsaw Uprising, the largest military undertaking by any European Resistance Movement during WWII. The goal of the operation was for the Polish Resistance and Underground state to come out into the open and declare sovereignty for Warsaw and Poland in the face of the retreating German Army and the approaching Soviet forces. Orders were given on 31 July 1944 for AK forces to be at their objectives in the afternoon of 1 August 1944 and begin operations at 1700hrs – Godzina W or “Fighting hour”. Intended to last for approximately 5 days whilst paving the way for the Soviet forces to enter Warsaw, the Soviets stopped their attack in the Warsaw suburb of Praga on the right bank of the Vistula River in a cynical move aimed at allowing the Polish forces to be destroyed. With planning and supplies based on 5 days of fighting, the Poles fought on for an incredible 63 days, finally surrendering on 2 October 1944. Join us today on a dedicated tour of Warsaw focusing on the important sites associated with the 1944 Warsaw Uprising and remember the incredible men and women who fought for their country and city in an effort to win their freedom from tyranny.
Places visited on our Tour of Warsaw:
For those not joining us on the Remaining tour – We bid you farewell
The Wolf’s Lair (Wolfsschanze), Mamerki Bunkers & Nazi Canal
Today we will travel to the beautiful Polish region of Mazury where we will visit important sites related to WWII. After the long journey from Gdansk, we will visit the Wolf’s Lair (Wolfsschanze), Hitler’s eastern most military HQ during WWII. The Wolf’s Lair was constructed in time for Hitler to take command of Operation Barbarossa – the German invasion of Russia in 1941. Hitler first arrived at the Wolf’s Lair on 23 June 1941 and spent a total of 800 days there throughout the war, leaving for the final time on 20 November 1944. The Wolf’s Lair is the site of the most notable assassination attempt on Hitler’s life as portrayed in the movie Valkyrie based on the plot by Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and his co-conspirators to kill Hitler on 20 July 1944 that came to be known as the “20 July Plot”. After our visit to the Wolf’s Lair, we travel a short distance to the Mamerki Bunkers where lower-level German military personnel and visitors stayed when going to the Wolf’s Lair. Our final stop is at the site of one of the giant locks for the canal the German’s were building from Mazury to the Baltic Sea, but for what purpose? Come along and have a look for yourself and see if you think U-Boats could have made the journey.
Westerplatte Peninsula & Memorial, Polish Army Barracks, Graves of Polish fighters
We stop by the Westerplatte Peninsular and Memorial where the first shots of WWII were fired on 1 September 1939 by the German Battleship Schleswig-Holstein at the Polish Garrison stationed on the peninsular. See the remains of the Polish bunker as well as the impressive memorial to the battle that raged there. Also pay respects at the cemetery for the 9 Polish Soldiers newly laid to rest on Westerplatte.
WWII In Gdansk
Guided walking tour of Old Town Gdansk with our experienced Polish guide Lukasz who will meet you at your hotel. On the walking tour, we will visit sites relating to both the ancient history of the city as well as sites relating to WWII:
Museum of the Second World War in Gdansk
Today we also visit the impressive Museum of the Second World War in Gdansk (Polish: Muzeum II Wojny Światowej). The museum was established in 2008 and is devoted to the Second World War in Europe with Polish highlights. This is a thoroughly spectacular museum not to be missed.
European Solidarity Centre
Visit the impressive European Solidarity Centre and Gdansk shipyard where Communism was laid to rest. The mission of the museum is to “keep in the memory of Poles and Europeans the experience of Solidarity as a peaceful European revolution” and for Solidarity “to be a source of inspiration and hope for those who do not live in open and democratic societies”.
Malbork Castle
Join us for a tour of Malbork Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage listed site as well as the largest brick castle, and the largest castle by land area, on Earth. Originally built by the Teutonic Knights to house their Grand Master when he moved from Venice, the castle has been occupied by Poland for longer than it was ever occupied by the Teutonic Knights. Thoroughly destroyed in fighting between the Germans and Russians towards the end of WWII, Malbork Castle has been painstakingly rebuilt and is now open for visitors. Enjoy learning about both the ancient and more modern history of this mighty castle.
Radegast Station
Join us today for a tour of the Radegast Station and Umschlagplatz (literally holding area) that is now a memorial to the victims of the Holocaust that passed through the station on their way to their final destination. Built between 1926 and 1937, Radegast Station was used by the Germans for the deportation of Jews between 16 January 1942 to 29 August 1944. During this period, approximately 200,000 Jews, Roma and Siniti peoples from all over Europe transited through the station and Umschlagplatz on their journey to either the Chełmno (Kulmhof) or Auschwitz German Extermination camps. Radegast Station was situated just outside the Łódź Ghetto, one of the largest of the Jewish ghettos in all of German- occupied Europe. The Łódź Ghetto Umschlagplatz had the same significance as the better known Umschlagplatz for the Warsaw Ghetto.
Auschwitz I – Auschwitz II Birkenau
Allow Poland At War Tours to take you on an exploration of the infamous German Concentration and Extermination Camp of Auschwitz. Auschwitz being the German name given to the site of the camp within the Polish city of Oswiecim. Join us on a special guided tour of both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II – Birkenau. We first explore Auschwitz I which was an abandoned Polish Army barracks prior to WWII. We then take the short journey to Auschwitz II – Birkenau and walk through the iconic gate which so many Jews and victims of different kinds travelled through never to return. See the ramp where Jews were off-loaded before walking the short distance to the gas chambers and crematoria to the rear of the camp, blown up by the Germans as they hastily fled in the face of the coming onslaught of the Soviet Army. In total, approximately 1,100,000 people died at Auschwitz. Join us as we honour their memory and state unequivocally – Never Again!
Krakow Old Town. On our tour we will visit:
Krakow Jewish Ghetto Walking Tour – Schindler’s Factory
Join us on a walking tour of the Krakow Jewish Ghetto famously depicted in the award- winning Steven Spielberg film “Schindler’s List”. On the tour, you will visit the major sites of the Krakow Ghetto that was established in March 1941. Beginning with a tour of the area in which the Ghetto was located, you will see sites including the memorial to the Jews of the Krakow Ghetto “Ghetto Hero’s Square” and surviving remnants of the original Ghetto Wall. We will then visit Schindler’s Enamel Factory and those who have seen the movie, will not mistake the façade of this famous building. Having saved 1,200 Jews, Schindler and his wife Emilie were awarded Righteous Among the Nations in 1993. We also visit the Pharmacy Under the Eagle a pharmacy that was allowed to operate within the Ghetto walls under its non-Jewish proprietor Tadeusz Pankiewicz who, along with his 3 female staff Irena Drozdzikowska, Aurelia Danek, & Helena Krywaniuk, provided medicine, food, and hiding places for Jews in the pharmacy. Pankiewicz was awarded Righteous Among the Nations on 10 February 1983. After lunch we take a drive past Plaszow Concentration Camp, the camp depicted in Schindler’s List, on our way to a tour of the Museum of the Armia Krakow (AK; Polish Home Army).
Museum of the Armia Krajowa in Krakow
Today we visit the official Polish museum dedicated to the mighty army of the Polish Underground State, the Armia Krajowa (AK: Home Army). At its peak, the AK had approximately 350,000 members spread throughout Poland, making it the largest, and most successful, resistance movement of WWII. Learn about the heroism and activities of members of the AK, including the acquisition of a V2 rocket in Eastern Poland and its subsequent delivery to the Allies in England!
Sadly, today is the day we must say goodbye. I wish you the very best for your travels back home.
Do widzenia i do zobaczenia!
“Goodbye and see you soon”
If you can’t get enough of Krakow and are looking for an enjoyable activity, we have arranged a tour to the Wieliczka Salt Mine on the morning of 10 August 2024 – The mine is 15 minutes outside of Krakow. Let us know if you would like to visit the Salt Mine and we will take it from there. Cost is €50pp.
You then have the option to depart Krakow in the afternoon, or we can arrange an extra night accommodation for you in our Krakow hotel. Also, let us know if you need a train to Warsaw and we can assist.
