OskarSchindler’s

EnamelFactory

a branch of the HistoricalMuseum of Kraków

by John Malathronas

Permanent Exhibition : Kraków During the German occupation

In the Administrative building of the Factory

Schindler Factory

In the 1890s the Jewish-owned factory produced wire, mesh, and iron productsIn March 1937 it turned to enamelware and metal products .

In June 1939, with all the problems the Jewish owners had, it became insolvent .On 9 Sep 1939 German troops entered Kraków.

On 15 January 1940 Oscar Schindler leased factory and expanded.In Oct 1944 the Germans started liquidating the city’s Jews.

Schindler and his 1200 Jew ishworkers moved to Brněnec, Moravia.This move ensured their’ survival.

Between 1947 &2002 it was the Telpod state communications companyIn 2005 – Kraków city bought the factoryOn 11 June, 2010 the museum opened,

A rare 20th century stereoscope showing early 20 C images of Krakow in 3D

Reminders of the Polish Mobilisation in 1939

Invasion

Deportation

Fortifications against Russian invasion

Schindler’s office and original desk

Auschwitz/Birkenau is one hour away

For once Jewish names on the wall here are those who did not perish but survived

Some of the actual factory buildings are earmarked for gallery spaceIs there anything more eco-friendly than to turn a factory into a museum?

Schindler’s factory is now a necessary complement to a visit to Auschwitz/Birkenau