Description of the attraction
Old Synagogue - The synagogue located in Krakow is one of the oldest surviving synagogues in Poland and one of the most valuable monuments of Jewish architecture in Europe. Until the outbreak of World War II, it played a central cultural and religious role in the life of the Jewish community in Krakow.
The synagogue was built in the second half of the 15th century, when Jews from the Czech Republic came to Krakow. Originally, the synagogue, made of bricks with two halls, was intended only for men. Its eastern wall, adjacent to the city walls, was part of the city's fortification system. The synagogue had a two-nave hall, which rested on columns, and a gable roof. Similar Gothic synagogues can be seen in Prague, Worms and Regensburg. In the second half of the 16th century, the temple was rebuilt under the leadership of the architect Mateusz Guzzi, after which a women's prayer house and a spacious lobby appeared. After the reconstruction, the synagogue became the center of the Jewish community in Kazimierz. In 1557, there was a massive fire that completely destroyed the synagogue. After the tragedy, the restoration of the synagogue was carried out by the Florentine architect Matteo Gucci, who gave it the features of the Renaissance style.
One of the most important events in the history of the synagogue was Tadeusz Kosciuszko's fiery speech to the Jews, who urged them to fight for the freedom of a common homeland.
At the beginning of the 20th century and in the pre-war years, the synagogue was rebuilt several times at the expense of donors and numerous subsidies.
The tragic period for the synagogue was the Second World War, during which it was completely destroyed by the Nazis. Liturgical equipment, silver, textiles, archives, a library collected over several centuries were deported, ornate ceilings and columns were destroyed. At the end of October 1943, 30 Poles were shot at the walls of the synagogue.
After the war, the synagogue remained in a state of complete ruin and was restored only in 1959, after which it was converted into a museum. Now there is a branch of the Historical Museum of Krakow - a museum of culture and history of Jews.
