Old Synagogue. Stara (as it is called by the Poles) is one of the oldest synagogues preserved in Poland.

Walk down Starowiślna street from the Old Town and you will reach Kazimierz. It is only a 20 minute walk . You can  also take a tram – nr 13, 34 or 24 and get off at Miodowa (Street). Further down on the left side of Starowislna is the way to the “new Jewish cemetery” which still serves today’s community. On the right side, a must see,is the entrance to Szeroka Street a large open rectangle. It used to be one of the most important places of the Jewish quarter and now is one of the most picturesque streets of Krakow. Szeroka is surrounded with cosy cafes and restaurants – most of them serving Jewish style cuisine. Restaurants such as: Ariel, the one in the  hotel Ester and Klezmer Hois offer concerts of Klezmer music. The latter is situated in the building of a former mikvah (Jewish ritual bath). There are also three synagogues located in Szeroka street.

The entrance to the old Jewish cemetery goes through Remuh Synagogue.

Stara (the Old) Synagogue is the oldest one in Krakow and also the most visible in Szeroka. It was probably built in the XV century; in Gothic style and later on rebuilt in Renaissance style. This complex of buildings was the religious-administrative centre for the Jewish community and in 1959 the synagogue was turned into a department of the Historical Museum of Krakow. Nearby you can spot the remnants of the city walls of Kazimierz and inside the museum you can admire the exhibition on Jewish history and culture – photos, clothes and other historical and literary materials relating to Judaism. There are two other Synagogues on Szeroka street. The Popper (which used to be called “small”) is in the Baroque style and was built by a Cracovian merchant in 1620. Although it used to be richly decorated, there remain hardly any signs of its former role as the building was turned into a youth culture centre. Opposite there is the Remuh Synagogue – probably the most renowned especially by orthodox Jewish visitors because of it’s illustrious heritage. The entrance gate leads to the courtyard – from where you can enter the synagogue and also the Remuh cemetery. Although the Remuh is the smallest among all the historic synagogues of Krakow, it is currently the only regularly functioning synagogue in the city. It was built in the 16th century and was named by Rabbi Moses Isserles (son of its founder) who was know as ReMa. Inside one can see the traditional synagogue design with a late Renaissance Holy Ark (with Art Nouveau door), bimah (raised platform) and various ceremonial objects. As mentioned the courtyard of the synagogue leads to one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries of Europe. The first people were buried there in the mid of 16th century. One of the most precious monuments of the cemetery is the tomb of Rabbi Moses Isserles. Visitors from all over the world come to pray at his grave.
Szeroka street gets back some of its former life during the days of Jewish Culture Festival held each year at the end of June. It is the venue of the final open air concert called “Shalom on Szeroka” when the area is packed with visitors enjoying the music of times past.
Nearby (in adjoining Dajwór street) is the Galicia Jewish Museum which offers exhibitions and other events – such as concerts – celebrating the Jewish culture of Galicia region.

High synagogue. Its room of prayer is situated on the upper floor.

Leaving Szeroka by Ciemna street (on the right when looking at the Old synagogue), you will pass the Eden hotel – which retains the traditions of Jewish practice (you can find there a mezuzah on the door, kosher restaurant and ritual bath) – further along you will reach Izaac’s synagogue. Its 17th century edifice represents late Baroque style. Although its interior was damaged, one can still admire the beautiful stuccos and decor, as well as the exhibition of photos of pre-holocaust Jewish life.
Turning left from Izaac’s synagogue you will get to Józefa street. There you will see the High Synagogue built in the 16th century. Its name derives from the fact that the prayer room in this synagogue is situated on the 1st floor. This was done for protection from anti-Semitic attackers. Although the building was devastated by the Nazis during the World War II, it underwent restoration and was opened to visitors in 2005. The synagogue now houses a photographic exhibition about customs and traditions of the Jewish community in the interwar period. On the ground floor there is an attractive bookshop, where one may purchase books connected with Jewish culture (in various languages). Józefa was the main route joining the Christian and Jewish parts of Kazimierz. The street (which took its name after Austrian emperor Jozef II who visited Kazimerz) has a special ambience and many small restaurants specialising in Polish cuisine.

Courtyard at Meiselsa street is among the most beautiful ones in Krakow.

From Józefa street we can enter one of the most beautiful courtyards of Kazimierz and Krakow. On the right side there is the entrance to the pub – Stajnia which shares its “summer garden” with pub “Mleczarnia”. In the backyard is a staircase that was used in one of the scenes from “Schindler’s list” by Steven Spielberg. Its second exit is located at Meiselsa street, where there is a rebuilt “Center for Jewish Culture”.
From there it is only a few metres to Nowy Square which was incorporated into the Jewish quarter in 17th century. It is very often called by the locals “Jewish Square” and is known for the round market building (called Okrąglak) in the middle. For over 200 years the Nowy Square served as a market place and the round building was turned into the ritual slaughterhouse for poultry. Although the Nazi occupation changed the face of Kazimierz, the building resumed its role as a place where the locals can purchase meat products. The regular market stalls around Okrąglak change every Saturday into the antique flea market.
Today Plac Nowy is one of Krakow’s favourite places for drinking and dining out. The square is surrounded by pubs, clubs and charming cafes many with music performers. Among them the most popular cafes are: “Singer” (characteristic for old Singer sewing machines serving as tables), “Królicze Oczy” and Alchemia where there are regular performances – such as Jazz concerts. You can enjoy typical Polish dishes (recommended is the place called “Endzior") as well as kebabs and the Polish specialty “zapiekanka” (traditional French bread baked with mushrooms and cheese) which is thought to be the best in the city! A narrow street running near the Alchemia pub is Estery. It leads to Miodowa where there are 2 beautifully refurbished synagogues the Tempel and the Kupa.

The inside of the Tempel Synagogue astonishes with bright colours.

At  24 Miodowa is the off white stone building of the Tempel Synagogue – the newest and probably most impressive in Kazimierz district. It was the seat of Reform Jews and sermons there were given in Hebrew, Polish and German. The building surprises visitors as its exterior style differs from the other synagogues of Krakow – the facade represents Neo-Renaissance. However, it is the refurbished interior design that amazes most with its bright colours and embellishments. Especially evocative are the stained glass windows and Holy Ark (the biggest in the former Jewish district) dome shaped and made in marble. The second floor (that houses the women’s gallery) boasts a gilded balustrade. Note also the beautiful floral patterned ceiling.
Opposite on Miodowa street (at number 27) we can admire the Kupa Synagogue. It was founded in the 17th century from donations given by the community. The building represents the Baroque style but it went through many changes during its existence. Visitors are enchanted by its rich decoration. The paintings (situated on walls, the ceiling and in the women’s section) date back to 1920s. They depict holy places ( of Hebron, Tiberias and Jerusalem) and Biblical scenes and illustrations to verses of Psalms. The unique thing about the drawings is that in one of the paintings we can see Noah’s figure, although using human images was very rare in Jewish art. A carved wood and stucco Torah Ark comes from the 17th century. Although the entrance to Kupa synagogue is in Miodowa street, you can also admire its side situated at the junction of streets Kupa and Warszauera. Especially worth noticing is the old defensive wall of Kazimierz, which is adjoining the building.

In Podgórze you can still see the remnants of the former Jewish ghetto.

Continuing along Miodowa street we will come back to the place where we started – Starowislna street. Turning right and approaching the Vistula river will lead us across the bridge to Podgórze. This is where the Jewish ghetto was during the World War II. The ghetto was the walled residential district where Jews were confined. You can still fragments of the wall in this area.. Right after we cross the bridge we will easily notice a unique square – covered with peculiar monuments of chairs. This is the place where the inhabitants of ghetto were gathered (during the operation of clearing the inhabitants and afterwards liquidating the ghetto). From this square they were taken to Płaszów Concentration Camp or to the railroad station, to be transported Extermination Camps. After they departed the ghetto their possessions were forcibly left abandoned on the Bohaterów Getta square – among them parts of furniture such as chairs. The idea of the monument is to remind us about the tragedy of Jews. The chairs symbolise their abandoned possessions and the tram stop nearby reminds us of the railway station. There is a small Ghetto Museum located on the square (at the corner of Targowa street) – called “Apteka pod Orłem” (Under the Eagle Pharmacy). It was the only Pharmacy left within the ghettowall and had access to the ‘normal life’ beyond the ghetto. The courageous Christian - Tadeusz Pankiewicz - owner of the pharmacy used the Pharmacy as a shelter and support center.
There are 2 places where you can still see the remnants of the Ghetto wall – in the backyard of the the school at Limanowskiego 62 and in the Lwowska Street (25-29). The latter one is very close to Lipowa where at number 4 is the former Factory of Enamelled Utensils, run by Oscar Schindler. He saved many of the  Jews of the Krakow ghetto by employing them in his factory. Since his story was filmed by Steven Spielberg (in “Schindler’s list”) the factory is visited by many tourists and now houses a small exhibition.
Of the 60,000 plus before World War II there now remain about 200 Jews in Krakow; this nation that played such an important role in the development of the city. Today, by visiting the former Jewish quarter – Kazimierz and Podgórze (the ghetto created by the Nazis), you will learn an important lesson by seeing how their life was before and during the World War II.