The Kraków Fortress is not just about fortifications! The city’s fortifications comprise 120 diverse sites, including former barracks and warehouses, located throughout Kraków and its surroundings. This offers a wealth of history to explore — from the stories of our grandparents and great-grandparents to themes related to neo-Victorianism, fantasy, the activities of Kraków’s hippies, and military heritage. How can we tell these stories with one voice? What can be done to ensure that residents and tourists do not just pass these places by, but stop to learn more about their history?
These questions were at the forefront of the participants at the 11th Kraków Heritage Forum, held on 11 December 2024 at the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Kraków. Among the attendees were the Plenipotentiary of the President of Kraków for Culture, Paweł Szczepanik, and twenty representatives from organisations and institutions associated with the sites of the Kraków Fortress and the city’s broader heritage. Participants identified key challenges and unanimously agreed that all entities within the fortress complex and the local community living “in the shadow of the Kraków Fortress” need to be connected.
During the discussion, the necessity of developing a cohesive promotional offer, improving access to the sites, and utilising available materials for tourism development was emphasised. Participants also pointed out the need for revitalising existing trails and integrating efforts to enhance the visibility of the forts in public space.
The topic will be continued at the next Forum meeting, scheduled for 15 January 2025.
