Misplaced Pages

Synagogues of Kraków

Article snapshot taken from[REDACTED] with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Interior view of Old Synagogue, Kraków, Poland

The synagogues of Kraków are a collection of monuments of Jewish sacred architecture in Poland. The seven main synagogues of the Jewish District of Kazimierz constitute the largest such complex in Europe next to Prague. These are:

  1. The Old Synagogue
  2. Wolf Popper Synagogue
  3. Remah Synagogue
  4. High Synagogue
  5. Izaak Synagogue
  6. Temple Synagogue
  7. Kupa Synagogue

Two other houses of prayer, both from the 19th century, could be classed as synagogues, both of them on Meiselsa street: the B'nea Emun prayer house and the Hevre Tehillim, psalm brotherhood house of prayer.

It was put on the list of UNESCO world heritage sites along with the entire city district in 1978.

History

Kraków was an influential centre of Jewish spiritual life before the outbreak of World War II, with all its manifestations of religious observance from Orthodox, to Chasidic and Reform flourishing side by side. There were at least ninety prayer-houses in Kraków active before the Nazi German invasion of Poland, serving its burgeoning Jewish community of 60,000–80,000 (out of the city's total population of 237,000), established since the early 12th century.

Most synagogues of Kraków were ruined during World War II by the Nazis who despoiled them of all ceremonial objects, and used them as storehouses for ammunition, firefighting equipment, and as general storage facilities. The post-Holocaust Jewish population of the city had dwindled to about 5,900 before the end of the 1940s, and by 1978, the number was further reduced in size to a mere 600 by some estimates.

In recent time, thanks to the efforts of the local Jewish and Polish organizations including foreign financial aid from Akiva Kahane, many synagogues and prayer-houses underwent major restorations, while others continue to serve as apartments.

Main synagogues

The synagogues of Kraków represent virtually all European architectural styles of the past millennium, including Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassicism and Modernism. Among the most prominent are: the Old Synagogue, the High Synagogue, Remah Synagogue, Wolf Popper Synagogue, Tempel Synagogue, Kupa Synagogue and the Izaak Jakubowicz Synagogue. At present, only two of them are still active, and only one serves as a house of prayer, the Remuh Synagogue.

The Jewish History Museum

The Old Synagogue on Szeroka Street, is the oldest Jewish house of prayer in Poland, built in 1407. Nowadays, the synagogue serves as the Jewish History Museum, a Division of the Historical Museum of Kraków. The exhibits are divided into four sections: synagogue furnishings and paraphernalia, Jewish rituals and festivals, the history of Kazimierz District, and the Holocaust. The museum features numerous items related to religious ceremonies, for example, candle holders, Chanukah and menorot lamps, covers for the Torah, parochot Holy Ark covers, tallit prayer shawls, and kippahs or yarmulkes. The museum holds also a considerable collection of books including 2,500 volumes of Hebrew manuscripts and prints. On the walls, there are original oil paintings on display made by Maurycy Gottlieb, Józef Mehoffer, Tadeusz Popiel, Jerzy Potrzebowski and Jonasz Stern.

The Remah Synagogue

The Remah Synagogue (Hebrew: רמ״א) on the west side of Szeroka, is one of the few functioning synagogues in the city, built along the old row houses (kamienice). It was founded in 1556 by a royal banker, Izrael (Isserl) son of Joseph, for his own son the rabbi Moses Isserles also known as Remah. There are also a Remah Cemetery named after him, and the mikvah (ritual bath). Located further down on Szeroka Street is a bookshop that was formerly the Synagogue of Wolf Popper, the father of Joachim Edler von Popper.

The High Synagogue

The High Synagogue on Jozefa Street was built in 1556–1563 in a Romanesque style, and the Kupa Synagogue, founded in 1643 by the Jewish district's kehilla (a municipal self-government) as foundation for the local kahal. The Isaak Jakubowicz Synagogue built in 1644, is located on Kupa Street. Currently it houses Kraków's Chabad Lubavitch community. The Tempel Synagogue on Miodowa Street, was designed in the 1860s, on the pattern of the Leopoldstädter Tempel in Vienna, at a time when Kraków was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Right after World War II a mikvah (ritual bath) was built at the side of the Tempel Synagogue, as the Remah Synagogue's mikvah was no longer able to serve. The mikvah at the Tempel Synagogue is for men only. On Józefa Street, there is the Kowea Itim le-Tora House of Prayer established in 1810. It was once owned by the Society for the Study of the Torah.

Active synagogues

Inactive synagogues

Gallery

List of Kraków synagogues by street name

For list of Synagogues in alphabetical order, please use table-sort buttons.

# Street Synagogue
1 Św. Agnieszki 5 Cypres Hirsch Michael Synagogue (Stowarzyszenia Modłów i Dobroczynności)
2 Św. Agnieszki 11 Meisels Izrael Synagogue
3 Augustiańska 22/12 Beit Shlomo Synagogue
4 Augustiańska 22 Chasids from Radomsko Synagogue
5 Augustiańska 25 Tiferes Israel Synagogue
6 Bocheńska 4 Szejrit Bne Emun Synagogue
7 Bonifraterska 1 Bet Hamidrash Synagogue
8 Brzozowa 9 Ansche Chail Synagogue
9 Brzozowa 6 Deiches Salomon Synagogue
10 Brzozowa 17 Planczner Synagogue
11 Celna 5 Rabi Skawiński Synagogue
12 Ciemna 15 Chasids from Radomsko Synagogue
13 Ciemna 17 Chewra Sandlers Synagogue
14 Dębnicki Square
(pl. Dębnicki 6)		 Jedność Izraela Synagogue
15 Dietla 17 Chasids from Działoszyce Synagogue
16 Dietla 58 Chajotim Synagogue
17 Dietla 64 Damash Synagogue
18 Dietla 64 Chasids from Piaseczno Synagogue
19 Dietla 107 Bet Hamidrash Synagogue
20 Długa 22 Dorshe Shalom Synagogue
21 Długa Grosmann Synagogue
22 Estery 6 Chasids from Czortków Synagogue
23 Estery 6 Chasids from Dzikowo Synagogue
24 Estery 6 Talmud Torah Synagogue
25 Estery 6 Chasids from Góra Kalwaria Synagogue
26 Estery 12 Bobov Synagogue
27 Estery 12 Chaim Halberstam Synagogue
28 St Gertrudy 20 Lejw Tojw Synagogue
29 Grodzka 28 Tigner Mordechaj Synagogue
30 Izaaka 7 Chewra Szijur Synagogue
31 Izaaka 7 Dajons Majer Synagogue
32 Izaaka 5 Stowarzyszenia Bóżniczego Szir (Szijer) Synagogue
33 Jakuba 21 Mosi Hamite Synagogue
34 Jakuba ? Ansche Emes Synagogue
35 Józefa 8 Aufim Synagogue
36 Józefa 22 Ahawat Tora Synagogue
37 Józefa 24 Chasids from Stropkowo Synagogue
38 Józefa 5 Chewra Kadisza Synagogue
39 Józefa 32 Chewra Ner Tamid (High) Synagogue
40 Józefa 12 Etz Chaim Synagogue
41 Józefa 42 Kowea Itim le-Tora Synagogue
42 Józefa 16 Kromol Synagogue (annex)
43 Józefa 16 Krymałowska Synagogue
44 Józefa 22 Machsike Jesziwa Keter (Kejser) Tora Synagogue
45 Józefa 33 Reb Aron Klaus Synagogue
46 Józefa 15 Chasids from Radom Synagogue (New) (Stowarzyszenia Modlitwy i Dobroczynności)
47 Józefa 26 Chasids from Żarki Synagogue
48 Józefa 37 Epsztein Aron Synagogue
49 Kalwaryjska 21 Chewra Thilim Synagogue
50 Kalwaryjska 21 Nose Hamitah Synagogue
51 Kalwaryjska 26 Rabi from Zielin Synagogue
52 Kalwaryjska 29 Gmilus Chasudim & Menachem Aweilim Synagogue
53 Katarzyny 5 Chasids from Husiatyń Synagogue
54 Kościuszki 27 Bet Hamidrash Synagogue
55 Krakowska 7 Bojaner Synagogue
56 Krakowska 21 Chewra Sandlers Synagogue
57 Krakowska 26 Bojaner Synagogue
58 Krakowska Gmilus Chasudim Talmud Tora Synagogue
59 Krakowska 51 Joller Synagogue
60 Krakowska 29 Meisels Berisch Synagogue
61 Krakowska 13 Susser Leib Synagogue
62 Krakowska 21 Tomchej Orajse Synagogue
63 Krakusa 7 Rabinacka Synagogue
64 Kupa 16 Ner Tamid Synagogue
65 Kupa 16 Mizrahi Synagogue
66 Lelewela 5
(later Tatarska 4)		 Bnei Jeszurim Synagogue
67 Limanowskiego 13 Bikur Cholim Synagogue
68 Matejki Square
(pl. Matejki 4)		 Bet Hamidrash Synagogue
69 Matejki Square 2 Adas Jeszurim Synagogue
70 Mazowiecka Bet Hamidrash Synagogue
71 Meiselsa 14 Aleksander Synagogue
72 Meiselsa 17
(pl. Nowy 5)		 Bnej Emun Synagogue
73 Meiselsa 18 Chewra Thilim Synagogue
74 Meiselsa 14 Chasids from Aleksandrowo Synagogue
75 Meiselsa 32 Lykower Synagogue
76 Meiselsa 1 Tycziner Synagogue
77 Miodowa 11 Assiriri (Machsi Ke-Choklim) Synagogue
78 Miodowa 15 Beit (Bet) Israel Synagogue
79 Miodowa 13 Chasids from Cieszanowo Synagogue
80 Miodowa 12 Temichas Narej Bnej Israel Synagogue
81 Mostowa 8 Chana and Abraham Lednitzer Synagogue
82 Mostowa 2 Nosei Massu Haszejno Synagogue
83 Na Przejściu 2/77
(Dajwór 23)		 Gewoha Bargiel Synagogue Na Górce
84 Nowy Square 1
(pl. Nowy 1)		 Chaduzim Synagogue
85 Nowy Square 7 Chowewe Tora Synagogue
86 Podbrzezie 4 Horowitz Aszer Synagogue
87 Podbrzezie 6 Mcyjrim Imizgagim jad Charucium Synagogue
88 Podbrzezie 6 Reichenberg Chaim (from Zaleszczyki) Synagogue
89 Podbrzezie 6 Rosenbaum Synagogue
90 Podgórski Square
(pl. Podgórski 3)		 Benzion Halberstam Synagogue
91 K. Brodzinskiego 8 Schornstein Synagogue
92 Prądnik Czerwony Landesdorfer Synagogue
93 Rakowicka 14 Bejt Jehuda Synagogue
94 Rękawka 30 Anszei Chail Synagogue
95 Skałeczna 3 Bach Synagogue
96 Skawińska 2 Synagogue in Jewish Hospital
97 Starowiślna 37 Agudas Achim Synagogue
98 Stroma 11 Bikur Cholim Synagogue
99 Szeroka 16 Ner Tamid Synagogue
100 Szeroka 40 Ner Tamid Synagogue
101 Szeroka 28 Gmilus Chasidim Debais Hakneses Synagogue (Stara)
102 Szeroka 2 Landau Szaul Synagogue
103 Szeroka 40 Mekarwin Latora Synagogue
104 Szeroka 28 Reichenberg Synagogue
105 Szeroka 25 Szezarim Synagogue
106 Szeroka 24 Szomrim Laboker Synagogue
107 Szeroka 24 Szywe Kryjim Synagogue
108 Szewska 1/2 Chasids from Bobowa Synagogue
109 Szlak 13 Merkaz Jeszyja Synagogue
110 Szpitalna 24 Ahawas Rajim Synagogue
(now Eastern Orthodox church)
111 Tatarska 4 Bnei Jeszurim Synagogue
112 Trynitarska 18 Bet Hamidrash Synagogue
113 Twardowskiego 15 Ansche Emes Synagogue
114 Warszauera 8 Ner Tamid Synagogue
115 Warszauera 1 Zauwche Zywche Cedek Synagogue
116 Św. Wawrzyńca 9 Ahawat Szalom Synagogue
117 Węgierska 6 Bnei Emun Synagogue
118 Węgierska 6 Bnei Chinim Synagogue
119 Węgierska Zucker Synagogue (Podgórze)
120 Węgierska 7 Chasids from Góra Kalwaria Synagogue
121 Węgierska 7 Benzion Halberstam Synagogue
122 Węgłowa 3 Chasids from Bełz Synagogue
123 Wolnica Square
(pl. Wolnica 14)		 Chasids from Husiatyn Synagogue
124 Zwierzyniec 21 Cendeszim Synagogue
# Street As per Krakow.Jewish.org.pl

See also

Notes and references

  1. "Synagogues of the Kazimierz historic district in Krakow". krakow-info.com. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  2. "Welcome to Kazimierz!". jewishkrakow.net. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  3. ^ Adam Dylewski, Where the Tailor Was a Poet... website created under the aegis of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, Warsaw; chief editor: Dr. Piotr M. A. Cywinski. Editorial assistance: Dr. Anna Marta Szczepan-Wojnarska, and Kaja Wieczorek from Jewish Historical Institute, Warsaw
  4. The Jewish Krakow, Old Synagogue. A guide to Kazimierz. Page stored at Internet Archive
  5. "Remuh Synagogue, A relic of Kazimierz's golden age". Cracow-Life.com. Retrieved 2006-12-11.
  6. "The Remuh Synagogue of Krakow, Poland". The Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot. Retrieved 2006-12-11.
  7. Hebrew University of Jerusalem: "Exploring the Synagogues of Poland: Wall Painting and Decoration" from the Internet Archive
  8. Isaak Synagogue, Krakow, Poland
  9. JewishKrakow.net, A guide to Tempel Synagogue Archived 2007-10-08 at archive.today as well as the Krakow's old Jewish quarter
  10. List of synagogues in Kraków between the wars Archived 2012-02-09 at the Wayback Machine

External links

Category:
Synagogues of Kraków Add topic