Translating as “New Steel Mill”, Nowa Huta is a district in the east of Krakow, Poland and one of the city’s most populous neighbourhoods. It was established in the 1940s as a satellite industrial town, designed by the Communist government to attract working class citizens and with monumental architecture which showcased its ideals.
In 1954 the Vladimir Lenin Steelworks was opened in Nowa Huta and soon became the biggest steel mill in the country, resulting in rapid development of the area. An immense tobacco factory was also opened together with a large cement factory, and the Socialist Realism of the town’s main square reflected this boom in industry, designed to express persistence and power. While still referred to by many as Plac Centralny, the square has officially been renamed “Ronald Reagan Square”, and the statue of Lenin that once stood has been taken down in. The entrance to the old steelworks of Tadeusz Sendzimir at the end of Aleja Solidarności is a fine example of Socialist Realism, referred to affectionately by the locals as “The Vatican”. The Soviet-influenced architecture of Nowa Huta stood in stark contrast to the artistry and intellectualism of central Krakow, and its wide, tree-lined boulevards were specifically designed to soak up a nuclear blast. From Plac Centralny it’s just a short walk to the fascinating Museum of Poland Under the Communist Regime, housed within the former Świtowid cinema, as well as the Nowa Cultural Centre where work by Polish artist Zdzisław Beksiński is on display. On Roses Avenue, the Nowa Huta District Museum is also worth a visit for a glimpse into the local history and culture.
Nowa Huta is easily accessed by tram from Krakow, departing the main train station at Dworzec Główny and depositing passengers directly in Plac Centralny. Many of the district’s sights can be explored on foot from here, with the old steelworks a short tram ride to the north-east.
Remains found in the area on which Nowa Huta lies indicates that it has been continuously settled since the Neolithic period, including both ancient Celtic and Slavic communities. It is the site of an 8th century tomb erected by the Vistulans and believed to belong to Wanda, the daughter of Krakow’s mythical founder, Krakus.