Old Synagogue, Kraków

Main article: Synagogues of Kraków

Old Synagogue

Inside of the Old Synagogue

Old Synagogue is an Orthodox Jewish synagogue in Kazimierz district of Kraków, Poland. 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 Poland in 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 ^[1]

Old Synagogue of Kazimierz district of Kraków during World War II

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.^[2] The Old synagogue is a rare, surviving example of a Polish Fortress synagogue.^[2]

The synagogue was completely devastated and ransacked by the Nazi 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.^[3] 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 Krakow'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 exhibitions."^[1][4]

See also

• Oldest synagogues in the world
• Zamość Synagogue

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} The Jewish Krakow, The Old Synagogue: ul. Szeroka 24. Page stored at Internet Archive
2. ^ ^{a b} Ismail Serageldin, Ephim Shluger, Joan Martin-Brown, Historic Cities and Sacred Sites: Cultural Roots for Urban Futures, by World Bank Publications, 2001, pp. 307-8.
3. ^ Sacred Destinations , Old Synagogue, Krakow
4. ^ Rebecca Weiner, The Old Synagogue The Virtual Jewish History Tour

References

• Engraving of synagogue interior
• JewishKrakow.net A guide to Kazimierz, Krakow's Jewish Quarter. The website also has information on opening times and admission prices to the Old Synagogue

Coordinates: 50°03′05″N 19°56′55″E / 50.05139°N 19.948721°E / 50.05139; 19.948721