Kazimierz District Guide

The beating heart of Kazimierz and the neighborhood's central gathering point. By day, Plac Nowy hosts a flea market and food stalls selling the best zapiekanki in Krakow from the circular rotunda at its center — these Polish open-faced baguette pizzas are loaded with mushrooms, cheese, and whatever else you desire. By night, the square transforms into Krakow's nightlife epicenter, ringed by dozens of bars and clubs. The transformation from sleepy market square to pulsing party zone happens gradually every evening around 8-9 PM.

The oldest surviving synagogue in Poland, dating to the 15th century, now housing a branch of the Historical Museum of Krakow dedicated to Jewish history and culture. The Gothic and Renaissance architecture is impressive, and the exhibitions cover religious traditions, daily life, and the destruction of the Krakow Jewish community during the Holocaust. The prayer hall is a moving space. This is the essential starting point for understanding Kazimierz's Jewish heritage.

An active synagogue dating to 1553, one of only two functioning synagogues in Krakow. Adjacent is the Remuh Cemetery, one of the best-preserved Renaissance Jewish cemeteries in Europe. The tombstones date from the 16th century, and the Wailing Wall — constructed from fragments of tombstones destroyed during WWII — is deeply moving. Rabbi Moses Isserles (Remuh), one of the most important figures in Jewish law, is buried here. Visitors still leave prayer notes at his grave.

A powerful photographic museum that takes a different approach to Holocaust remembrance. Rather than focusing solely on destruction, the exhibition "Traces of Memory" documents what remains of Jewish culture in southern Poland today — abandoned synagogues, overgrown cemeteries, and memorials. The photographs by the late Chris Schwarz are haunting and beautiful. The museum also hosts excellent temporary exhibitions, lectures, and cultural events.

The main street of the old Jewish quarter, Szeroka is actually a wide square rather than a street. Lined with Jewish restaurants, cafes, and cultural venues, it is the spiritual center of Jewish Kazimierz. The annual Jewish Culture Festival takes place here every summer, with outdoor concerts on Szeroka drawing thousands. Several Schindler's List filming locations are on or near this street. In the evenings, klezmer music drifts from the restaurants, creating an atmospheric experience.

A magnificent 14th-century Gothic church that anchors the Christian side of Kazimierz. The interior is breathtaking — a riot of Baroque gilding, painted ceilings, and elaborate altars that rivals anything in the Old Town. Much less visited than the Old Town churches, Corpus Christi offers a peaceful, crowd-free experience. The stalls and pulpit are masterpieces of Baroque woodcarving. One of the most underrated churches in Krakow.