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KAZIMIERZ – THE CHRYSTIAN AND JEWISH QUARTER
In miedieval times, Kazimierz (set up on the island of the Vistula River), was a separate town located in the direct neighbourhood of Krakow. Since 14th century Kazimierz has been known as the town in which an interaction of Christian and Jewish cultures occurred. The Main Square of Kazimierz (at present Plac Wolnica) was the centre of the Christian zone. Szeroka Street was the centre of the Jewish zone. At present Kazimierz is a historic quarter of Krakow. After the tragic extermination of thousands of Jews of Kazimierz by Nazists during the Second World War the Jewish community in Kazimierz has been reduced to about 100 people.
Main Square of Kazimierz town and the old City Hall, at present the Etnographic Museum (Renaissance style, 16th century)
The most attractive historic monuments of the Christian zone of Kazimierz are: the Church of St. Michael the Archangel (Baroque style) - the legendary site of martyrdom of St. Stanislaus, St. Catherina’s Church (Gothic Style 14th century), the old Main Square of Kazimierz with Gothic Corpus Christi Church and the Renaissance City Hall (16th century) - the Ethnographic Museum at present.
The Old Synagogue in the Kazimierz quarter (superposition of Gothic and Renaissance styles, 15th – 16th century)
The Jewish zone of Kazimierz deveoped in miedieval times in which Jews palyed an important role in the economy of the Krakow Province. Jews gathered in the vicinity of the so-called Old Synagogue, erected in the form of a Gothic construction in 15th century. After a fire, Italian masters renewed the Old Synagogue in the Renaissance style adding the attic facade in the upper part of the construction. The temple was roughly devastated by Nazists during the Second World War. After the war the temple was carefully renewed by the Polish authorities. At present, the Old Synagogue is one of most spectacular objects of Jewish sacral architecture in Europe.
The interior of Old Synagogue in the Kazimierz quarter (Gothic style, 15th century)
There are 6 other old synagogues in Kazimierz: Remu Synagogue (erected 1553, Renaissance style), High Synagogue (erected 1563, Renaissance style), Popper Synagogue (erected 1620), Kupa Synagogue (erected 1643), Izaak Synagogue (erected 1644), Tempel Synagogue (erected 1862, neo-Renaissance style). The Remu Synagogue is the only one in which the the service occures on Jewish holiday days.
The Jewish quarter changed into the ruins during the war, has been renewed in recent years. In Szeroka Street the visitor may encounter unique, ‘retro style’ restaurants in which kosher dishes are served.
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