Old Synagogue

Oldest surviving synagogue in Poland on Szeroka Street, now a museum of Jewish history

The Old Synagogue (Stara Synagoga) on Szeroka Street is the oldest surviving Jewish religious building in Poland, dating from the late 15th century and rebuilt after a fire in 1557 in the Italian Renaissance style. For centuries it served as the spiritual and judicial centre of the Krakow Jewish community; the rabbi who served here was the chief rabbi of the entire Polish kingdom.

Today it functions as a branch of the Krakow Historical Museum, with an exhibition covering the history, religion, and culture of Krakow's Jewish community. The main prayer hall has been partially restored and retains its medieval and Renaissance structure; displays include ritual objects, documents, photographs, and reconstructed scenes of Jewish life. It is a moving and informative introduction to Kazimierz, best visited before exploring the surrounding streets. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.

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A story
The synagogue was built in the 15th century by a community that traced its origins in Krakow to the 13th century. During the German occupation, the Nazis used it as a warehouse, then as a stable, stripping it of its furnishings and destroying its interior. When the museum opened in 1959, the Jewish community of Krakow had been reduced from 65,000 people to a few hundred survivors.

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