The Liban Quarry is a limestone quarry located in Kraków, Poland and is a place of historical importance since the 19th century.
In 1873 the company 'Liban & Ehrenpreis', established by two successful industrial Jewish families, built a quarry at the site which included various buildings and a railway line. Years later the success of the quarry was soon changed into more sinister means when Poland became over-ruled by Nazi occupation. Between the years 1942 - 1944, Liban was made into a labour-intensive penal camp where 800 Poles were kept as prisoner and 21 inmates were executed.
In 1993, Liban was transformed once again – by Steven Spielberg. Whilst filming Schindler's List the quarry of Liban was cinematically made to resemble Płaszów concentration camp. Not wanting to film at actual Płaszów itself was done out of respect. Whilst most of the 34 mock watchtowers & barracks have since been removed, some of the set still exists within the overgrowth of nature and the genuine historical structures:
As you can see, this is a fascinating place. The fog that existed that day added to the mood that Liban can be seen as World War II site, just as much as an Urbex site.
Most of the structures are now made of rust and seemed hazardous to climb when walked on, so much care & attention is needed if exploring this place.
I also tried to access the site about 20 minutes walk from here called 'The Church of St Benedict', but has now been boarded up.
In 1873 the company 'Liban & Ehrenpreis', established by two successful industrial Jewish families, built a quarry at the site which included various buildings and a railway line. Years later the success of the quarry was soon changed into more sinister means when Poland became over-ruled by Nazi occupation. Between the years 1942 - 1944, Liban was made into a labour-intensive penal camp where 800 Poles were kept as prisoner and 21 inmates were executed.
In 1993, Liban was transformed once again – by Steven Spielberg. Whilst filming Schindler's List the quarry of Liban was cinematically made to resemble Płaszów concentration camp. Not wanting to film at actual Płaszów itself was done out of respect. Whilst most of the 34 mock watchtowers & barracks have since been removed, some of the set still exists within the overgrowth of nature and the genuine historical structures:
As you can see, this is a fascinating place. The fog that existed that day added to the mood that Liban can be seen as World War II site, just as much as an Urbex site.
Most of the structures are now made of rust and seemed hazardous to climb when walked on, so much care & attention is needed if exploring this place.
I also tried to access the site about 20 minutes walk from here called 'The Church of St Benedict', but has now been boarded up.
