Kazimierz is the old Jewish Quarter. When Jews were forced out of Kraków, that’s where they went. It is south of the old town, Stare Miasto. Wawel Castle is between the two.
There have been at least seven synagogues, all of which are still standing, three are still active, one is now a museum.
My hotel was in the corner of Kazimierz nearest to Wawel and Stare Miasto. I walked around the area quite a bit. Unfortunately, I didn’t cross the river to see Schindler’s Factory and the ghetto. I was in Kraków during the Jewish Heritage Festival, and I could tell from the crowds I saw a few times.
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- Temple Synagogue - Synagoga Tempel
Built 1860-62.
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- Temple Synagogue - Synagoga Tempel
There was an unfortunate blue truck parked in front of it. The JCC is next door.
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- Temple Synagogue - Synagoga Tempel
This is an active synagogue still, but was under construction when I was there. The doors were open so I took a look inside.
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- Old Jewish Cemetery - Remuh Cemetery
In the heart of Kazimierz.
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- Kazimierz Memorial
"Place of meditation upon the martyrdom of 65 thousand Polish citizens of Jewish nationality from Cracow and its environs killed by the Nazis during World War II."
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- Remuh Synagogue - Synagoga Remuh
Build in 1558, rebuilt in 1829, restored in 1958-68. Another active synagogue.
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- Popper Synagogue - Synagoga Popper
Founded in 1620 by Wolf Popper. A shop in the middle, Hebrew on the plaque under the arch.
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- Popper Synagogue Courtyard
A colorful mural inside.
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- Old Synagogue - Stara Synagoga
Originally built in 1407 or 1492. Currently the Jewish History Museum.
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- House of Study
This building was used by a study group that conducted Talmud lessons. Inscriptions inside the Stars of David indicate the group was founded in 1810 and the building was renovated in 1912.
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- High Synagogue - Wysoki Synagoga
The plaque on this synagogue was not translated to English. It appears to have been built in the 16th century and destroyed by the Nazis in 1939. (I read it was destroyed, but apparently not entirely, since it's still standing.)
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- Izaak Synagogue - Synagoga Izaaka
Built in 1638 from a donation of banker Izaak Jakubowicz. Another active synagogue and home of Chabad Lubavitch of Krakow.
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- Kupa Synagogue - Synagoga Kupa
I didn't see any markings on the building and I wasn't entirely sure it was the right building, but I was able to verify it later with other pictures.
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- Center for Jewish Culture
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- Corpus Christi Church
Kosciol Bozego Ciala, located not quite amidst all the synagogues.
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- Kazimierz Town Hall
At the head of Plac Wolnica. Currently the Museum of Ethnography.
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- Plac Wolnica
This square was once the size of the main square of Old Town Krakow, but was reduced in size. There wasn't anything going on the day I was there. Another square in Kazimierz was active and crowded one day and empty another.
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- Museum of Ethnography
Down the street, I loved the design on this building.
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- Wisla River
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- Path to the Wisla River
I imagine this was once flat. I captured some interesting graffiti that I had seen elsewhere in Poland too.
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- Wisla River Raft
Right behind the Jewish quarter.
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- Sidewalk Art
I think that was an art shop behind it.
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- Graffiti
Another familiar face in Poland.
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- New Jewish Cemetery
Nearby but a bit farther outside of Kazimierz, unlike the old cemetery in the middle, established 1800, destroyed in WW2, "tidied up" in 1957, and including a Holocaust memorial.
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- New Jewish Cemetery
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- New Jewish Cemetery
More about the synagogues and Kazimierz can be found at:
Wikipedia has individual pages for the main synagogues, and a long list of others that I didn’t visit.
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All photos and content Copyright 2012 by Banai Lynn Feldstein.
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