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Kazimierz Synagogues

Right before World War II, Krakow's Jewish district of Kazimierz used to be home to about forty-five thousand Jews. The Jewish community was almost completely destroyed, and most of those who survived left Poland to start a new life in Israel. They left behind numerous traces of their existence, of which perhaps the most spectacular are the 90 synagogues of Kazimierz.

The synagogues come in all styles and sizes, like the Gothic Old Synagogue, the Renaissance Remuh Synagogue or the baroque Isaac's Synagogue. Two of them – the Tempel Synagogue and the Remuh Synagogue are still active, but regular services are conducted only in the latter.

Old Synagogue (Stara Synagoga)

As the name suggests, this is the oldest of Krakow's synagogues, built in the 15^th century in a Gothic style, later a touch of Renaissance was added. It was devastated by the Nazis, but a renovation in the 1950s returned its splendour. Now it is a division of the Historical Museum of Krakow. The permanent exhibition features objects linked to the religious as well as everyday life of the Krakow Jews before the War.

Address: 24 Szeroka Street

Opening Hours: From November 1^st to March 31^st: Monday – 9a.m.-2p.m.; Tuesday – closed; Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday – 9a.m.-4p.m.; Friday 9a.m.-5p.m.; From April 1^st to October 31^st, Monday: 9a.m.-2p.m.; Tuesday to Sunday: 9a.m. to 5p.m.

Ticket Prices: single ticket: 6-8 pln; Mondays free

Tempel Synagogue (Synagoga Tempel)

One of the two active synagogues in the Kazimierz district, however services are occasional. A Moorish-Neo-Renaissance style building erected in the 1860s for the Reformed Jewish community. Its magnificent interiors contain a monumental Aron Kodesh made of white marble, and forty-one stained glass windows. Thanks to its excellent acoustics, it is often used as a concert hall, notably during the Jewish Festival in Krakow.

Address: 24 Miodowa Street

Opening hours: daily 10a.m.-6p.m., closed for visitors on Saturdays and Jewish Holidays

Ticket Prices: 2-5 zloty; women should wear clothes that cover their shoulders, men need to wear a skullcap (available at the entrance)

Remuh Synagogue (Synagoga Remuh)

The only Krakow synagogue in which regular services are conducted. It's the smallest of the synagogues in Kazimierz, but also one of the most beautiful. It was constructed in 1557, replacing an older building which had been destroyed in a fire. The Renaissance synagogue is accompanied by an old graveyard, used until the end of the 18^th century. During the War the graveyard was devastated and turned into a garbage dump. What can now be seen is a result of a renovation that took place in 1959. Many Jews from around the globe come here to pray at the grave of Moses Isserlis, the author of fundamental religious and legislative works.

Address: 40 Szeroka Street

Opening Hours: Summer: 9a.m.-6p.m., Winter: 9a.m.-4p.m., closed for visitors on Saturdays and Jewish Holidays

Ticket Prices: 5 zloty; women should wear clothes that cover their shoulders, men need to wear a skullcap

High Synagogue (Synagoga Wysoka)

The name of this synagogue derives from its curious characteristic: the prayer house is located on the first floor. This is probably due to the fact that it was situated in a busy place near the gate of the Jewish town, and unfriendly Christians could have spoiled the services if the prayers had taken place downstairs, too close to the street. Now the Renaissance building has lost much of its splendour, but its traces are still visible. There is also a multi-lingual bookstore on the ground floor.

Address: 38 Jozefa Street

Opening Hours: Summer: 9a.m. to 7p.m., Winter: 9a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed on Jewish Holidays

Ticket Prices: 5-7 zloty

Kupa Synagogue (Synagoga Kupa)

Also called the Synagogue of the Poor, for it was used by the less wealthy members of the Jewish community of Kazimierz. This Baroque temple has a fantastic interior, filled with magnificent wall paintings, depicting musical instruments and various views of the Holy Land, as well as biblical images, such as Noah and his Ark. Some of the murals weren't discovered until a renovation of 2001. The Synagogue serves as an exhibition and concert hall.

Address: 27 Miodowa Street

Opening Hours: 9a.m.-6p.m.; closed on Saturdays

Ticket Prices: Admission is free.

Isaac's Synagogue (Synagoga Izaaka)

The opening of this one caused a wave of protest among the inhabitants of the 17^th century Kazimierz. Founded by one of the wealthiest Krakow Jews it was to be the biggest and richest buildings in the quarter, and so it was. It is the largest of the Krakow synagogues. As most of them, it was devastated during the war and has been renovated in the 1980s and 1990s. Now it serves as an exhibition hall where one can watch movies about Jewish Krakow, various photographs and paintings. It also houses a nice bookshop.

Address: 18 Kupa Street

Opening Hours: 9a.m.-7p.m.; closed on Saturdays and Jewish Holidays. Closes earlier in Winter and on the days before Holidays.

Ticket Prices: 7 zloty; additional 10 zloty for taking photos