Old Synagogue — Attraction in Krakow

Old Synagogue is an Orthodox Jewishsynagogue in the Kazimierz district of Kraków, Poland, in Yiddish it was referred to as the Alta Shul. It is the oldest synagogue building still standing in Poland, and one of the most precious landmarks of Jewish architecture in Europe. Until the German invasion of Polandin 1939, it was one of the most important synagogues in the city as well as the main religious, social, and organizational centre of the Kraków Jewish community. In 1794 General Tadeusz Kościuszko spoke from the synagogue to gain the Jewish support in the struggle for Polish independence. A plaque in the entrance hall commemorates this event:"The Jews proved to the world that whenever humanity can gain, they would not spare themselves." – General Tadeusz Kosciuszko" The Synagogue was built in 1407 or 1492; the date of building varies with several sources. The original building was rebuilt in 1570 under the watchful eye of an Italian architect Mateo Gucci. The rebuilding included the attic wall with loopholes, windows placed far above ground level, and thick, masonry walls with heavy buttressing to withstand siege, all features borrowed from military architecture. There was further reconstruction work in 1904 and in 1913. The Old synagogue is a rare, surviving example of a Polish Fortress synagogue. The synagogue was completely devastated and ransacked by the Germans during World War II. Its artwork and Jewish relics, looted. During the occupation, the synagogue was used as a magazine. In 1943, 30 Polish hostages were executed at its wall. The Old Synagogue was renovated from 1956 to 1959 and currently operates as a museum. It is a Division of the Historical Museum of Kraków, with particular focus on Kraków's Jews. The exhibits are divided into themes dealing with birth, prayer rituals, diet, divorce and death. "The beautiful women's prayer room, which dates from the 17th century, is often used to hold temporary...

The "Old Synagogue" is a place where anyone would profit from it by visiting it. If someone is not sure whether it is worthed its money, then they can visit any Monday possible, as every Monday the entrance is for free. Every place in this world exists for a reason, with its own history and importance for each one of us. I can not understand how some people may talk negatively for a place like this, as if you dedicate some time of your day just to read and get to know more about the history of this place and of this culture you will, hopefully, remember this place forever. What do I mean by saying this, is that knowledge is power and everyone deserves to get to know as much as possible in this lifetime. All in all, it is a small Synagogue in which you will have the chance to read about the belief and the culture of these people, see their traditional instruments, learn about their weddings, death, growing up, food diets...

In Krakow's Kazimierz at ul. Szeroka, in the former Jewish district, now houses the oldest synagogue in Poland.

Its creation is associated with the initiative of the founder of the city of Kazimierz - King Casimir the Great, or the arrival of Czech Jews to Poland after the Prague pogrom in 1389.

The oldest parts of the building date back to the 15th century and the entire structure refers to the Gothic German and Czech synagogues. Until 1939, the synagogue served as the main temple of Krakow's Jews.

Pay attention to the city walls of Kazimierz. Established in 1335, Kazimierz was supposed to protect the capital of the state, Kraków, from the south. Its defensive walls were built around the mid-14th century. In addition to their defensive function, they also served as a flood dam for...