The High Synagogue, Krakow - all you need to know

The High Synagogue is particularly interesting for one unusual architectural feature: the prayer hall is not on the ground floor, but on the upper floor.

It is the only historic synagogue in Poland arranged in this way.

However, do not travel to Kazimierz just for the synagogue itself. At the time of writing, it is closed and can only be viewed from the outside.

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Why is it called ‘Vysoká’?

The synagogue was built between 1556 and 1563 as the third synagogue in what was then the Jewish quarter. Whilst the ground floor served other purposes, the main prayer hall was built on the upper floor, which is how the building got its name.

The original furnishings were destroyed during the Second World War. Inside, parts of the wall paintings and the stone frame of the aron ha-kodesh – the ark used to house the Torah scrolls – remain.

From the street, you can see a relatively simple brick façade, on which the building’s original purpose is not immediately apparent.

Is it worth a visit?

In its current state, treat the High Synagogue merely as a brief stop on a stroll down Józefa Street. A few minutes are all you’ll need to view it from the outside.

Less than a two-minute walk away stands the reopened Izák Synagogue, which you can now visit inside. Nearby is also the active Remuh Synagogue with its old Jewish cemetery.

Opening hours and admission

At the time of updating in August 2026, the High Synagogue is closed until further notice and accessible only from the outside. Therefore, no regular opening hours or admission fees have been set.

We recommend checking the current status on Kraków’s official tourism website.