The years of communism in Poland (1945–1989) brought dramatic changes to everyday life, many of which are hard to imagine today. To give you a glimpse into that era, we invite you to explore Nowa Huta, a district of Kraków built in the 1950s as a model communist town. It was designed for workers of the Vladimir Lenin Steelworks, the largest steelworks in communist Poland, named after the Russian revolutionary Lenin.
In the center of Nowa Huta, a monument to Lenin was erected using funds taken from workers’ annual salary bonuses. Unsurprisingly, this monument became one of the most disliked in Poland’s history.
But why was such heavy industry placed so close to Kraków’s historic, medieval core? After World War II, Kraków’s middle-class residents strongly opposed the new communist regime. A referendum held by the authorities was overwhelmingly rejected by Kraków’s citizens, embarrassing the government. In response, the communists sought to “correct the class imbalance” by building an industrial satellite town. This attracted people from rural and working-class backgrounds to the area, reshaping Kraków’s social landscape.
And so it happened: thousands of workers from across the country came to build the new town and, as the propaganda claimed, a “bright new future.” Nowa Huta became a cultural mosaic, home to Polish Roma, immigrants from the Eastern Borderlands, and even a sizable Greek community.
For many, this move meant a significant improvement in their living conditions. Coming from poor villages, they were given apartments in the newly constructed buildings, fulfilling the promises made to them.
The architecture of Nowa Huta was designed with remarkable flair. Its grand, monumental layout, featuring a central square and wide, radiating streets, was accented with green spaces, parks, and tree-lined roads. This design was meant to contrast sharply with the narrow, dark streets of old Kraków.
The oldest part of Nowa Huta is now admired as a rare example of socialist realist architecture in Europe. Its buildings incorporate elements inspired by the Polish Renaissance, with features like delicate towers, decorative battlements, and elegant pillars.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Nowa Huta was also a hub of modernity and style. It boasted shops showcasing Polish fashion, a renowned bookstore, and even a store selling motorcycles. The district also had its own cinema and theatre, adding a touch of cultural vibrancy.
We’d like to show you the main gate of the steelworks. After the fall of communism, the plant was renamed the Tadeusz Sendzimir Steelworks, in honor of the renowned Polish engineer and inventor. In 2005, it was purchased by Mittal Steel Company, the world’s largest steelmaker, based in India.
This plant and its history, including its name changes, offer a fascinating glimpse into Poland’s economic journey over the years.
Though designed as an ideal communist town, Nowa Huta is also known for its rebellious spirit. In April and May 1988, the Solidarity movement organized strikes at the steelworks. Residents took to the streets, demonstrating against the political system.
One of the most significant uprisings occurred in 1960, over a wooden cross erected without permission where a church was planned. The communists had envisioned Nowa Huta as a “Town Without God,” so no church was included in its design. After petitions from residents, President Gomułka assured them the government wouldn’t oppose the construction of a church, and the cross was put up. However, when authorities decided to build a school on the site instead, they sent workers to remove the cross, sparking violent clashes between residents and riot police. While exact numbers are unclear, it’s believed that several hundred people were injured in the unrest.
Lenin’s monument, once standing prominently in the center of Nowa Huta, also became a target of resistance. It was repeatedly attacked and even lost a leg in one explosion, earning it the nickname “the statue of the lame duck.”
From its earliest days, Nowa Huta has been connected to Kraków’s Old Town by a tram line. Today, we invite you to experience this journey for yourself. Riding the tram will give you a glimpse into the daily lives of modern Poles while helping you imagine what life was like here 20, 30, or even 40 years ago.
Nowa Huta is the location of an award-winning film by Andrzej Wajda called the Man of Marble.
See the old documentary propaganda movie about Nowa Huta (with English subtitles):