Tempel Synagogue, Kraków — Attraction in Krakow

I wish I could give a separate review of the building and staff, but there is no such opportunity.

The synagogue was very impressive, beautifully decorated, wonderful stained glass windows. But the controller at the entrance is just a boor. She did not even deign to interrupt a very personal conversation on the phone when she sold us tickets, and also did not warn us that the second floor is closed to the public. When communicating with me she addressed me on "you" (the conversation was in Ukrainian and Russian, she used informal address, which is unacceptable in the sphere of service), refused to provide information about discounts on entrance for pensioners, although other synagogues had discounted...

The synagogue was closed for a Jewish holiday on the day we went so all we could do is view it from the outside. We had wished it was opened because we wanted to see the main prayer hall and ark since its renovation in 2000. From the photos we have seen it looks stunning. The outside façade of this mid-19th century synagogue, which went through conservation in 1996, is still shows some of its original Moorish style. There is a small fee to visit the synagogue. Most importantly, we learned that the synagogue has been returned to a place of worship and hosts numerous concerts and meeting throughout the year. Maybe next time we are in Krakow we will be able to see...

A beautiful building, smaller than it seems in the pictures, but some parts of the inside are in a sorry state of disrepair, or have been fixed in a slightly kitschy manner. Some information signs, but all in all, I would recommend adding something like a information flyer at the entrance.

I did not mind paying 10 złòty to enter, but I see a some humour in certain people complaining about this small entry fee. (Jokes about this subject are relentlessly hunted down by Google censorship). For myself, I donated a few zł extra to the maintenance fund of...