On 24 April, Urban History Week came to a close – an annual academic exchange co-organised by the Jagiellonian University and the University of Antwerp, with the support of the Polish Institute Brussels.

This year, Belgian and Polish history students spent time together in Kraków to explore its metropolitan character as the central theme of the programme. They journeyed through time, discovering the city’s many layers that reflect its historical and architectural evolution. The sites which they visited included the historic city centre with Wawel Castle, the Jewish district of Kazimierz, Auschwitz-Birkenau, and Nowa Huta – a symbol of communist urban planning.

As part of 2026 – The Year of Andrzej Wajda, the participants also had an opportunity to watch his acclaimed film The Promised Land, which served as a starting point for discussions on Kraków’s industrialisation.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Jagiellonian University and the University of Antwerp for involving us in the project, as well as to the students for their energy, curiosity and inspiring exchanges.