Kraków in the footsteps of Stanisław Lem — homes, haunts and grave
Stanisław Lem, one of the world’s greatest science-fiction writers, always thought of himself as a man of Lviv — yet he spent most of his life in Kraków, from 1945 until his death in 2006. Many places linked to him survive in the city: his flats on Śląska and Bonerowska streets, his house in Kliny, the former Hotel Forum, his grave in Salwator Cemetery and the Garden of Experiences named after him. Here’s a walk in Lem’s footsteps.
The early years: Śląska Street and the Faculty of Medicine
The Lem family came to Kraków from Lviv in July 1945, with the post-war wave of repatriates. They lived on Śląska Street, sharing a two-room flat with the Kołodziej family. Lem returned to his medical studies at the Jagiellonian University but did not sit his final exams, to avoid serving as a military doctor, and chose writing instead.
“Tygodnik Powszechny” — 12 Wiślna Street
At the former offices of the weekly “Tygodnik Powszechny” at 12 Wiślna Street (the paper moved out in 2021), Lem published his first stories, including “The Stranger” and “The Garden of Darkness”. His science-fiction debut, however, was “The Man from Mars”, serialised in 1946 in “Nowy Świat Przygód”.
5 Bonerowska Street and the house in Kliny
In 1953 Lem married Barbara Leśniak and moved, together with the Kołodziejs, into a three-room flat at 5 Bonerowska Street, where he lived until 1959. A commemorative plaque now hangs on the building. In the late 1950s the Lems moved into a small house on Narwik Street in Kliny, in Borek Fałęcki, and in 1988 into a larger house built next door.
Wydawnictwo Literackie and the Writers’ House
Lem’s long-time publisher was Kraków’s Wydawnictwo Literackie, now based in the “Under the Globe” house at 1 Długa Street. After publishing “The Astronauts” in 1951 — his book debut — Lem joined the Polish Writers’ Union, whose seat was the Writers’ House at 22 Krupnicza Street.
Przegorzały — the Husarski studio
In the 1940s and 1950s Lem often visited the studio of the sculptors and ceramicists Helena and Roman Husarski in Przegorzały. With Roman Husarski he wrote the play “Yacht Paradise” in 1951. Today there’s a square named after the Husarskis in Przegorzały.
Hotel Forum and Hotel Cracovia
At Hotel Forum on Konopnickiej Street (a hotel from 1988 to 2002) Lem had a post box and bought newspapers from around the world — he drove here in his pale-green Mercedes. For years the building served as a giant advertising hoarding; since 2025 its façade has been a listed monument, and the ground floor houses bars and a food hall. Foreign papers were also kept for Lem at Hotel Cracovia on Focha Avenue — the building now belongs to the National Museum in Kraków, which is converting it into a branch.
Salwator Cemetery and the Garden of Experiences
Stanisław Lem died on 27 March 2006. His urn was laid to rest in Salwator Cemetery on 4 April 2006. The Garden of Experiences in Polish Aviators’ Park, an interactive educational park opened in 2007 where children and adults explore the laws of physics, bears his name. It belongs to the Museum of Engineering and Technology and is open seasonally.
The “Lem’s Robot” mural — 24 Józefińska Street
In Podgórze, at 24 Józefińska Street on the corner of Krakusa, see the “Lem’s Robot” mural by Filip Kuźniarz, unveiled in November 2012 during the Conrad Festival. The anthropomorphic machine with a Lem quote about the future is a nod to the visionary writer.
Where to stay in Kraków
For a literary walk around Kraków, a good base is Best Western Plus Kraków Old Town at Świętej Gertrudy 6, about 500 m from the Main Square — close to Bonerowska, Wiślna and Krupnicza streets. From Hotel Regent in Kazimierz it’s a short walk over the Bernatek Footbridge to Podgórze and the “Lem’s Robot” mural.
Frequently asked questions
Where did Stanisław Lem live in Kraków?
On Śląska Street, then at 5 Bonerowska Street (until 1959), and finally in Kliny on Narwik Street, where he lived for the rest of his life.
Where is Stanisław Lem buried?
In Salwator Cemetery in Kraków; his urn was laid to rest on 4 April 2006.
Who is Tomasz Lem?
The writer’s son, born in 1968, author of a memoir about his father published in 2009.
Updated in October 2026.