The Jewish heritage
Kazimierz was a separate town for centuries, and from the 15th century one of the main centres of Jewish population in Poland. A group of synagogues survives to this day (the Old Synagogue, the Remuh with its historic cemetery beside it, the Isaac and the Tempel among them), gathered around ulica Szeroka — one of the best-preserved historic Jewish quarters in Europe.
After the Holocaust the district decayed for decades; its revival came in the 1990s and with Steven Spielberg's film "Schindler's List", some of whose scenes were filmed here.
The district today
- Plac Nowy — the heart of Kazimierz, with its round hall (the "Okrąglak") and the cult windows selling zapiekanki
- Bars and cafés — one of the densest collections of atmospheric places in Poland, with a lively evening scene
- Galleries and antiques markets — weekend flea markets and artists' studios
- A walk along the synagogue route — ul. Szeroka, Miodowa and Józefa
Nearby
From Kazimierz a walk of a quarter of an hour (or a tram across the bridge) takes you to Podgórze — with the Schindler's Factory museum, plac Bohaterów Getta and the Museum of Kraków. It is the natural extension of a route devoted to the history of the 20th century.
How to get there and practical info
- Location
- About 1–1.5 km south of the Main Market Square
- Getting there
- About 15–20 min on foot from the square along ul. Stradomska
- The synagogues
- Most are ticketed; some are closed on the Sabbath
- Plac Nowy
- The market and the zapiekanka windows — open late
- Best time
- Late afternoon and evening for the atmosphere of the bars
- Combining routes
- Close to Podgórze and Schindler's Factory
When to go
The tables return to the lanes and the evenings are pleasant.
The liveliest time — full bars, events and the Jewish Culture Festival.
Atmospheric and intimate, with fewer visitors.
The café interiors are especially welcoming; the synagogues can be seen without crowds.
Other sights in Kraków
Straight-line distances from „Kazimierz" — calculated from real coordinates. By road it is often further.
Where to stay nearby
Places from our list that have Kazimierz within walking distance or a short drive.
