Krakow - The Magical City
As the old capital of Poland, Krakow has a special place in the national consciousness. For the casual tourist this may not be vitally important or discernable, but this special role as the "spiritual" capital of Poland imbues Krakow with an added ambiance. The city is a vibrant university town that boasts the largest Medieval market square in Europe, plus exquisitely preserved Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural monuments of the highest order. If you get bored of traditional sightseeing, the glorious architecture creates a great backdrop for just sipping a coffee or glass of beer in the outdoor cafes that line practically every street from April-Oct. And at night there are hundreds of bars to suit all tastes, many of them housed in atmospheric cellars. Browse, read and check things out!
Synagoga Remuh
landmarks
churches
Contact details
Kazimierz ul. Szeroka 40
+48124295735
krakow@jewish.org.pl
www.remuh.jewish.org.pl
Description
Remu Synagogue and old Jewish cemetery
Located on ul Szeroka, this is the old synagogue in Krakow that is still used on a regular basis by the small Jewish community in Krakow. It was the second Jewish temple built in Kazimierz, after the Old Synagogue (now a museum) and is adjacent to the Old Jewish Cemetery (which is actually the oldest preserved cemetery of any kind in Krakow). The synagogue was built in the middle of the 16th century and remodeled many times, and had to be renovated after the Nazis desecrated during WWII. The carved renaissance cabinet featuring the Torah Scrolls is the only interior element to have survived the War intact. The cemetery was used for burials from 1553-1800 and many of the beautiful Renaissance and Baroque headstones survived the German occupation only because the pre-war Jewish community had so neglected the graves that many headstones had fallen over and were buried or covered with vegetation. After the war the cemetery was renovated and many old headstones were rediscovered. Broken pieces that couldn't be repaired were used to create a symbolic "wailing wall" on the right hand side as you enter. The grave of Moses Isserles, a miracle working 16th century rabbi, is a place of pilgrimage for Orthodox Jews from around the world. You'll notice special metal boxes at his grave to hold all of the prayers and requests that people bring to his grave.
Dennis McEvoy
Nearby
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