Villages of the World – Global Education Park, Kraków

A Ghanaian village, a Peruvian hut, a Mongolian yurt and a Papuan stilt house stand a few steps apart in Kraków. Wioski Świata (Villages of the World) is a Global Education Park created by the Salesians, where homes from different parts of the world have been built on about 3 hectares and furnished with everyday objects. The aim is not entertainment for its own sake but to show children how people live thousands of kilometres from Poland.

How the park came about

The park at ul. Tyniecka 39, listed on the VisitMalopolska portal as the "Global Education Park and Alpaca Village", is run by the Salesian Missionary Volunteers "Młodzi Światu", and some of the people who show visitors round have worked on missions in Africa or South America. Each house has exhibits, photographs and multimedia – all meant to teach empathy and highlight the problems of different regions of today's world.

What to see

• A traditional Ghanaian village with clay huts roofed with reed.
• A Peruvian hut with a llama, a Mongolian yurt and a Papuan stilt house.
• A Native American tipi and an Arctic igloo.
• Clothes, tools and small objects brought from distant corners of the world – many of them can be touched.
• Giant board games and workshops for groups and during family picnics.

Tripto tip

According to the VisitMalopolska portal, on weekdays you explore on your own (audio guides are available to rent), while on Saturdays and Sundays there are guided tours at 13:30, 15:00 and 16:30 – they last about an hour and run with at least 8 people. The park is seasonal and prices and hours can change, so check its Facebook page before you go. There is free public parking on site. With children, allow 1.5–2 hours. Nearby are the Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec and the Stanisław Lem Garden of Experiences.