Old Synagogue, Krakow

The Old Synagogue in Kraków is the oldest surviving Jewish prayer house in Poland and one of the most important monuments of Jewish heritage in Europe. Located on Szeroka Street in Kazimierz, it dates back to the late 15th or early 16th century, when the Jewish community was first relocated to the district. Its earliest known form was built in the Gothic style, but after a major fire in 1557, it was rebuilt in a Renaissance style that gave the structure its distinctive fortress-like appearance. For centuries, the Old Synagogue served as the religious, cultural, and administrative heart of Kraków’s Jewish community, hosting prayers, community meetings, and sessions of the kahal (the self-governing Jewish council).

Inside, visitors can explore the main prayer hall with its vaulted ceiling supported by two thick pillars. It features exhibits on Jewish religious practices, holidays, and daily life. The women’s section is a 17th-century addition and can be found by turning right from the Holy Ark in the main hall. It reflects traditional synagogue design and, along with various side rooms, displays artifacts such as Torah ornaments, ceremonial objects, and historic manuscripts that illustrate how deeply rooted Jewish tradition was in Kazimierz. The podium—positioned in the center of the hall—remains one of the most visually compelling features, enclosed by a beautifully wrought-iron balustrade.

The Old Synagogue also carries the memory of darker chapters. During World War II, the Nazis devastated its interior and used the building as a warehouse. After the war, it underwent careful restoration and eventually became a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków. Today, its exhibitions are thematically organized to explore aspects such as birth, prayer rituals, dietary practices, divorce, and death.

The Old Synagogue offers an essential introduction to Jewish life in Kraków. It is one of the key stops along the route through Kazimierz and provides valuable historical context for the other synagogues, cemeteries, and cultural sites nearby.