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Old Synagogue Krakow

The Old Synagogue Krakow is Poland’s oldest standing synagogue. There is some debate over the synagogues age as two dates given as to the buildings history. There are several sources suggesting that the synagogue was built in 1407 and conflicting sources suggest it was much later in 1492. The building you see today, however, was rebuilt in 1570 under the supervision of the Italian architect Mateo Gucci.

The building was a precious Landmark to Jewish European Architecture and drew Jews from far a field. In the year 1794 the General Tadeusz Kosciuszko gave a speech from the synagogue urging for the Jews of Krakow to support the struggle for Polish Independence. A plaque today can be seen in the entrance hall of the Old Synagogue. The plaque reads “The Jews proved to the world that whenever humanity can gain they would spare themselves” General Tadeusz Kosciuszko.

The Old Synagogue thrived in the nineteenth and early twentieth century, but with the outcome of World War II and Germany’s invasion, history would be re-written. The Old Synagogue was completely ransacked and devastated by the advancing German army. Its art work and relics were looted, most never to be found again.

During the occupation of Krakow, the synagogue was used as munitions storage. After the war, the synagogue stood for a period of time as a shadow of its former glory.

Work finally began on the restoration, of this once proud building in 1956. The work lasted for three years, and in 1959 was finished. The synagogue also operates as a museum today. The museum has several themes focusing on Krakow’s Jews such as prayer rituals, divorce, death and birth.

The Old Synagogue Krakow is located in Krakow’s Jewish quarter at u. Szeroka 24.