The Old Synagogue, Krakow - all you need to know

The Old Synagogue stands on Szeroka Street, right in the historic centre of the Kazimierz district.

It is no longer used for religious services, but serves as a museum dedicated to the history, religion and everyday life of Kraków’s Jewish community.

If you only want to visit one synagogue in the district, the Old Synagogue is the safest choice for an introduction to the subject. However, do not expect a modern interactive museum or an exhibition focused primarily on the Holocaust. The exhibition is based mainly on historical artefacts, photographs and detailed descriptions.

Finding accommodation right in the Kazimierz district

Is it worth a visit?

Yes, especially if you’re not very familiar with Jewish traditions and want to understand what the various objects in the synagogues were used for, or how religious festivals, weddings and other important life events were observed.

The building itself isn’t very large. Allow around 30 to 60 minutes for a standard visit; if you read all the descriptions in detail, you may spend a little longer inside.

On the other hand, I’d skip a visit if you’ve already been to several museums with a similar focus or if you’re mainly interested in the atmosphere of an active synagogue. In that case, you’re better off visiting the nearby Remuh Synagogue.

What you’ll see inside

The permanent exhibition, entitled ‘The History and Culture of Kraków’s Jews’, makes use of the synagogue’s original prayer spaces. The exhibits are divided into several themes, so you don’t need any prior knowledge of Judaism.

In the main prayer hall, you’ll see objects associated with the Torah and synagogue furnishings, such as ornate robes, silver crowns, Torah pointers used during readings, and curtains for the Torah ark.

Another section explores the most important Jewish festivals and their associated customs:

Shabbat
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
Hanukkah
Purim
Passover
Feast of Tabernacles

The former women’s prayer hall is dedicated more to everyday and family life. You will see items associated with childbirth, education, weddings, kosher dietary laws and funeral rites.

The interior itself, with its high vaults and Renaissance features, is also part of the experience. The building was extensively restored after the Second World War, so not everything you see today has been preserved in its original state.

The Old Synagogue, Remuh, or the Halych Museum?

All three monuments are just a few minutes’ walk from one another, but each offers something different.

The Old Synagogue – the best introduction to the Jewish religion, traditions and everyday life
The Remuh Synagogue – a synagogue still in active use, with a historic cemetery and a more profound spiritual atmosphere
The Jewish Museum of Halych – a more modern exhibition based primarily on photographs, memories of places and events of the 20th century

If you have enough time, combine a visit to the Old Synagogue with at least a visit to Remuh. You can manage both visits, including a short stroll along Szeroka Street, in about 90 minutes.

The history of the Nazi occupation of Kraków is described in much greater detail at Schindler’s Factory on the opposite bank of the Vistula.

Admission

Current ticket prices are as follows:

Adults 22 pln
Concession 16 pln
Family ticket for up to 4 people 44 pln
Audio guide 15 pln
Children under 7 go free

Every Monday, admission to the permanent exhibition is free. The number of visitors is limited, and free tickets can be booked in advance or obtained subject to availability at the ticket office.

Unlike at the Schindler Factory, it is not usually necessary to buy standard paid tickets several days in advance. Online booking is particularly useful on Mondays or during the peak tourist season.

Opening hours

Monday 10:00 to 15:00
Tuesday to Sunday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Closed every second Thursday of the month
Last admission 30 minutes before closing time

The museum is also closed on certain public holidays and during special events. Specific dates are always listed on the Old Synagogue’s official website.

You may take photographs inside for personal use, but without a flash. Commercial photography requires prior consent from the museum.

A brief history

The Old Synagogue is the oldest surviving synagogue in Poland. It was built in the 15th century in the style of Gothic synagogues that were constructed in what is now Germany and the Czech Republic.

In 1570, it was rebuilt by the Italian architect Matteo Gucci, who gave it a Renaissance appearance whilst retaining the original two-nave layout. Women’s prayer rooms and the administrative buildings of the Jewish community were gradually added.

During the Nazi occupation, the synagogue was converted into a warehouse and its furnishings were destroyed or stolen. Towards the end of the war, part of the vaulted ceiling also collapsed. The building was restored between 1956 and 1959 and has since served as one of the branches of the Kraków Museum.