'''Kazimierz''', formerly a town in its own right and now an integral part of ancient Krakow, it is situated south-east of the Old City just above the River Vistula. It represents the old Jewish Quarter of the city. Now going through a dramatic revitalization, Kazimierz offers great alternatives to the increasingly "touristy" Old Town.
Understand
The district of Kazimierz is named after its royal founder, King Kazimierz (Casimir) the Great, who established the town in 1335 as a prosperous merchant community on an island in the river Vistula (the northern branch of the river has now disappeared and the area now adjoins the Old City). Kazimierz's Jewish history started with the expulsion in 1495 of the Jewish community from the western part of the Old City to make way for a new addition to the Jagiellonian University. The Jewish community moved to the eastern part of Kazimierz, leaving the western part largely Christian, whereupon it eventually became the main spiritual and cultural centre of Polish Jewry for the next 4 centuries.
That history was abruptly terminated by the occupying Nazis during the Second World War when Kazimierz's Jewish inhabitants were first forced to live in appalling conditions within the Jewish Ghetto just across the river in Podgorze, before eventually being liquidated and sent to the extermination camps. (This episode is portrayed in the film ''Schindler's List'').
After the war, Kazimierz became a very seedy area under the Polish Communist regime. It is only since about 1995 that the district has begun to rediscover its Jewish heritage and undergo reconstruction and revitalization. It is now one of the main tourist centres in Krakow.
Schindler's factory can still be seen if you are prepared to take a walk under the railway bridge and through what is still a very impoverished area. A lot of the original factory and grounds remain, though Schindler's eerie-like office has been rebuilt to replicate the original. An aged Polish gentleman - paid to look after what is left of the factory - will invite you to visit the office and allow you to survey from the windows something of what the great man would have seen. You will also be shown - free of charge - an English speaking video presentation of Schindler's life, the only payment being a donation of a few Zlotys.
Get in
See
Squares
'''ul. Szeroka Street''', (''Bright Street''). It is more of a square than an actual street, Szeroka Street represents the heart of the old Jewish Quarter in Krakow and is ringed by synagogues and restaurants.
'''Plac Wolnica''', (''Market Square of Kazimierz''). Town Hall and Corpus Christi Church.
'''Plac Nowy''', (''New Square''). There are many cool bars and pubs here and is the center of student life in Kazimierz.
Synagoges and Prayer Houses
The Remuh Synagogue. l. Szeroka 40. ynagogue. The Synagogue and adjoining '''Jewish Cemetery''' with the grave of Moses Isserles.
The Old Synagogue. l. Szeroka 24. ynagogue. Built sometime during the 15th century, the synagogue is the oldest stone synagogue in Poland. It was ransacked by the Nazis during WWII and was renovated between 1956 and 1959. Currently, it serves as a museum documenting Jewish life in Krakow.
The Isaak Synagogue. ynagogue.
The Kupa Synagogue. ynagogue.
The Popper Synagogue. ynagogue.
The Postepowa Synagogue. ynagogue.
The High Synagogue. ynagogue.
Temple Synagoge. l. Miodowa 24. A Reform Judaic synagogue that is open to the public. Since it's an operational synagogue male visitors are expected to wear synagogues and women should dress somewhat conservatively and have their shoulders covered. During Nazi occupation, the synagogue was used as a horse stable, but was eventually rededicated to its religious mission. Inside, the synagogue is beautiful.
'''The Prayerhouse of Mordechaj Gebirtig'''.
'''The Prayerhouse of Szejrit Bne Emun'''.
'''The Prayerhouse of Salomon Deiches'''.
'''The Prayerhouse of Kovea Itim laTora'''.
'''The Prayerhouse of Bne Emun'''.
'''The Psalm Prayerhouse'''.
'''The Prayerhouse of Bne Emun'''.
Churches
'''Bozego Ciala Church''' (''Corpus Cristi Church'') ? Gothic Church erected by Kazimierz the Great in 1340. The greatest Italian artist of the Renaissance, Bartholomaeo Berrecci, is buried there. The interior is baroque with a marvelous, high baroque altar and may be the most beautiful baroque stalls Central Europe.
'''Michala Church''' (''Michael's Church'') ? With the monastery of the Paulins, one of the oldest in Poland. The defensive position of the "Church on the Rock" brought settlement already in the 9th century. Bishop St. Stanislaw is said to be killed there by King Boleslaw II in 1079. The garden pond is traditionally believed to have served for pagan sacrifices. Many famous Poles like Jan Dlugosz, Stanislaw Wyspianski, Adam Asnyk, Karol Szymanowski, Jozef Ignacy Kraszewski, Jacek Malczewski, and Czeslaw Milosz are buried there.
'''Katarzyny Church''' (''St. Cathrine Church'') ? Gothic Church erected by Kazimierz the Great in 1363 for the Augustinian Order. There is a beautiful baroque altar and the Renaissance grave of bishop Spytek Jordan inside the church.
'''Church of Merciful Hospitalers''' was constructed in 1739 by the Trinities friars in late baroque style, according to a project of architect Franciszek Placidi. The interior of the church was ornamented with rococo stucco decorations and illusion style polychrome.
Museums
Galicia Jewish Museum. l. Dajwor 18. 48 (0/12) 421 68 42. nfo@galiciajewishmuseum.org. ttp://www.galiciajewishmuseum.org/. pen 9AM-7PM in the summer and 10AM-6PM in the winter. losed on Yom Kippur and Christmas Day. ickets are 12 z? or 6 z? with a student discount. udaism, Museum.
Cemeteries
The '''Remuh Cemetery''' - cemetery from the 15th century with fine Renaissance gavestones
The '''New Jewish Cemetery''' - cemetery from the 19th century
Do
Buy
Eat
'''Ariel Restaurant''', Szeroka 18, tel 012-421 7920, [http://www.ariel.ceti.pl/]. Daily 10AM-midnight. traditional European Jewish cuisine, not kosher.
'''Restauracja Monarchia''', Jozefa Str. 6, tel +48 12 4306013, [http://www.restauracjamonarchia.pl/en/], Daily from 12PM-late. Mix of Central Europe's cuisines (Jewish cuisine not kosher).
'''MOMO''', 49 Dietla Str. tel +48 609685775, Daily from 11AM-8PM. Organic vegetarian and vegan food, very good and reasonable.
'''Cafe Mlynek''', 7 Wolnica Sq. tel +48 12 4306202. Great vegetarian food and a cozy bar, very good and one of the few veggie places to serve alcohol in a bar setting.
Drink
Sleep
Budget
Free Hostel. l. Starowi?lna 32. 48 (0/12) 423 81 20. nfo@freehostel.pl. ttp://www.freehostel.pl. 5+ z?. ostel.
Mid-range
Splurge
Contact