World Hotel

At ul. Szeroka - known not only for the final concert of the Jewish Culture Festival, but also for centuries the center of the Jewish community in Kazimierz - stands one of the oldest synagogues in such good condition in Poland, where until 1941 there were regular devotions.

It was probably established shortly after the forced exodus of Krakow's Jews to Kazimierz (they were blamed for a fire in 1494 that consumed eight streets in the vicinity of Szczepański Square). The original building was added from the eastern side to the defensive walls of Kazimierz. Fifty years later, the synagogue burned down, and during its reconstruction, which was entrusted to the builder from Florence, Matteo Gucci, a singing hall was added (on the south side), and a women's hall on the north. However, the gothic character of the synagogue has been preserved, enriched with Renaissance elements, such as a high attic, semi-circular windows and Tuscan columns in the interior. All the buildings, with the added house of the commune board, formed the religious and administrative center of the Jewish commune in Kazimierz. During the following centuries, the synagogue was destroyed several times by fires and robberies in the turmoil of the war. Each time it was renovated and rebuilt. In 1923, the area around the synagogue was lowered to the 15th-century level, and a small synagogue museum was established in the reconstructed rooms above the front vestibule.

Over the centuries, the Old Synagogue was the scene of events important for the history of Poland. It was here that Tadeusz Kościuszko called Jews to participate in the uprising of 1794, and Rabbi Beer Meisels called for support for independence aspirations during the Spring of Nations of 1848. Here, finally, the President of the Republic of Poland, Ignacy Mościcki, was greeted during his visit to Krakow (1927, photos of this ceremony can be seen at the exhibition inside the synagogue).

After the destruction made by the Nazis during World War II (even the gothic vault and Renaissance columns), renovation was carried out in the 1950s, which partially restored the synagogue to its former glory. At the same time, the Congregation of the Jewish Faith in 1959 donated the historic building to the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow (today: Krakow Museum).

Shabbat, New Year and Day of Reconciliation, Kuchki, Hanukkah, Purim and Pesach - in the main prayer room of the Old Synagogue presents a series of the most important holidays of the Jewish calendar, as well as the ways of celebrating them, as well as related items, customs and traditional clothing. For Jews, the most important object of worship is the Torah - a parchment scroll with the text of the Holy Scriptures, kept in the Ark placed on the eastern wall of each synagogue. The exhibition presents traditional utensils used for storing the Scriptures, as well as for reading them by a teacher. In the former women's room, there is a presentation devoted to private and family life. The museum also organizes temporary exhibitions in the synagogue devoted to various aspects of Jewish life in Krakow.