On 25 February 2025, the third meeting dedicated to the Kraków Fortress was held as part of the Kraków Heritage Forum. The aim of the event was to summarise the potential of this largest fortress complex in Europe, reflect on current challenges and outline directions for future activities to fully develop the offer aimed at both residents and tourists.
The event began with an inventory of available materials, both in traditional and digital formats, highlighting the richness of the entire Kraków Fortress complex. Descriptions of individual barracks, warehouses, and forts, their iconography, as well as events organised at these sites, are important elements promoting this aspect of Kraków’s heritage, although still insufficiently appreciated and with low public interest. Regular guided tours, cooperation between forts, and good public transport infrastructure also significantly contribute to the development of this tourism product. Activating the Kraków Fortress route requires standardising visual materials and intensifying efforts to increase the accessibility of individual sites and areas in their immediate vicinity.
Is it for residents or tourists? For history enthusiasts, or perhaps for those interested in post-industrial heritage? During the meeting, the issue of narratives surrounding the topic and the identification of potential target audiences, both in geographical and thematic perspectives, were once again discussed. Another key issue was examining potential funding opportunities for joint projects.
In conclusion, the participants of the Forum discussed the need to designate an entity that would take on the organisation of all activities related to the management of the Kraków Fortress. Furthermore, they agreed on the necessity of finding a leader who would unite the efforts of the managers of individual sites, facilitating the creation of a cohesive and effective fortress network that attracts both tourists and the local community.
We encourage you to follow the coverage of future meetings within the Kraków Heritage Forum and to actively participate in efforts to preserve and promote the rich heritage of the region! One of the proposed topics for the upcoming, 13th meeting of our Forum is the heritage of individual districts of Kraków. We invite you to share your thoughts on this topic or to submit other proposals via email: katarzyna.jagodzinska@heritagehubkrakow.org