Apteka pod Orłem

Apteka pod Orłem

Historic pharmacy turned museum honoring resistance efforts during the Holocaust. Located in Ghetto Heroes Square, this museum was once the only pharmacy in the Kraków Ghetto and now serves as a poignant reminder of the Holocaust. Apteka pod Orłem (Pharmacy Under the Eagle) is a historic pharmacy located in the heart of Kraków, near Plac Bohaterów Getta. Established in the early 20th century, the pharmacy gained historical significance during World War II when it became a site of resistance against the Nazi regime. During the occupation, the pharmacy’s owner, Tadeusz Pankiewicz, played a crucial role in helping the Jewish residents of the Kraków Ghetto by providing them with medicine and other supplies, despite the risks involved. This courageous act has made Apteka pod Orłem an important symbol of the moral resistance during the Holocaust.

Today, the pharmacy is part of the Ghetto Heroes Square Memorial and operates as a museum. Visitors can explore the pharmacy’s original interior, which has been preserved to reflect its role during the war, and view exhibits documenting the resistance efforts within the ghetto. The museum provides insight into the daily lives of those living in the ghetto, as well as the role that ordinary people, such as Pankiewicz, played in helping their fellow citizens.