Kazimierz (Jewish District)
- Address:Krakow
- Admission:Free
Cultural Experience, Religious Experience, Monument - Historical, Neighborhood, Synagogue
1:55 AM Sunday, May 27
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Kazimierz - or Jewish District - was for a long time an independent town with its own municipal charter and laws. Its colorful history was determined by its mixed Jewish-Polish population, and though the ethnic structure is now wholly different, the architecture gives a good picture of its past, with clearly distinguishable sectors of what were Christian and Jewish quarters. The suburb is home to many important tourist sights, including churches, synagogues and museums. The western part of Kazimierz was traditionally Catholic, and although many Jews settled here from the early 19th century until WWII - for example, the main Jewish hospital was on ul Skawińska - the quarter preserves much of its original character, complete with its churches.
A tiny area of about 300m by 300m northeast of Corpus Christi Church, the Jewish sector of Kazimierz became, over the centuries, a centre of Jewish culture equal to no other in the country. With the mass deportation and extermination of the Jewish people of Kraków by the Nazis during WWII, all traces of the folklore, life and atmosphere of the quarter disappeared. Today only the architecture reveals that this was once a Jewish town, though a handful of 'themed' restaurants, complete with live klezmermusic most nights, have been opened on ul Szeroka. Miraculously, seven synagogues survived the war, but only one of them continues to function as a regular place of worship, Tempel Synagogue. Parts of the film Schindler's List were filmed in Kazimierz.
Latest Reviews All Kazimierz (Jewish District) Reviews »
My sister and I really enjoyed seeing Krakow with our guide, Conrad. He was knowledgeable and very entertaining. Among other sights, we saw Wawel Cathedral and Castle (amazingly beautiful), Kazimierz Jewish district, and the Main Square including Saint Mary's Church. We saw a great deal of the city. I highly recommend this tour.
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So glad we booked this on my birthday (SJ) and not Auschwitz/Birkenau. I don't think I could have survived being 60 on such a day in such a place. This trip was most interesting, informative and well executed. The English-Speaking guide was attentive, but walked much too fast in parts for our poor legs to keep up, and she had to stop and wait for us on several occasions. Otherwise, walking and steps apart, the Wawel Castle (vavval) and Church, with the wonderful Art work, and decor, the furniture, etc were equal in comparison to Konopiste Castle in Czech Republic last year, and better preserved than the Czesky Crumlov in Czech Republic last ear.
All told, the tour showed us parts of the town, the Main Market Square, explained about the Kazimierz district, and King Kazimierz etc, and the division he instigated between the Jews and the Gentiles - the wall, the remains of the old wall - all explained well, in detail, but for me, (SJ) going back to the 1100's is of no real interest. I want to EXPERIENCE a country and it's current culture, not it's antiquities. However that is not what we are offered wherever we go. It is always Centuries old news, and dates and History do nothing for me. Reality does, and the graffiti in the Jewish area shows a lack of respect for the 200 Jews left out of what was once (1941-43) 70000 souls. THAT is tragic!
Practical Info
Today Kazimierz is one of Kraków's inner suburbs and located within walking distance south of Wawel and the Old Town. It is known for its restaurants and bars which are atmospheric rather than touristy, and also has some good places to stay. The best way to see the area is by walking tour.
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