Stara Synagoga
The oldest surviving synagogue in Poland, in the Kraków district of Kazimierz; today a branch of the Museum of Kraków with an exhibition on the history and culture of the city’s Jews.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The synagogue was probably built in the 15th century as a brick, two-aisled hall in the Gothic style, intended for men. After a great fire in 1557 it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style by the Florentine Mateo Gucci; the works were completed around 1570. Further fires damaged the building again in the 18th century, and it was renovated at the beginning of the 20th century.
During the German occupation the synagogue was devastated: objects of worship, archives and books were removed, and the main hall served as a warehouse. After the war the building was a ruin. It was rebuilt with funds from the Polish state, and the works took place in 1956–1959.
In 1958 the Jewish community transferred the building for museum purposes. Today it houses a branch of the Museum of Kraków, where the permanent exhibition shows the religious and family life of Kraków’s Jews, festivals, rites and ritual objects, and the fate of the community during the war.
Highlights
- One of the oldest surviving synagogues in Poland, with a Gothic and Renaissance interior
- Exhibition “History and Culture of the Jews of Kraków”
- Prayer hall with ritual objects and the story of Jewish festivals
- Women’s gallery with family life and rites of passage
- Location on Szeroka, in the centre of Kazimierz
Permanent exhibition
- Dzieje i kultura Żydów krakowskich – The exhibition shows the religious life, festivals and rites of Kraków’s Jews and the fate of this community during the war.
- Founded
- 1500
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 22 zł |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 16 złpupils, students and doctoral students, people over 65, pensioners and people receiving disability pensions, people with disabilities together with their carers, teachers, and other groups entitled under the museum’s regulations. |
| Seniors | 16 złReduction for people over 65, pensioners and people receiving disability pensions. |
| Visitors with disabilities | 16 złThe reduction also applies to carers. |
| Students & apprentices | 16 zł |
| Groups (10+ people) | 16 zł per personSchool and student group: PLN 12 per person; one carer for every 10 pupils enters free. |
| Families | 44 złTwo adults with two children up to 16 years of age, one adult with three children up to 16, one adult with two children, or two adults with one child. |
| Combined ticket Stara Synagoga – Apteka pod Orłem (standard) | 26 zł |
| Combined ticket Stara Synagoga – Apteka pod Orłem (reduced) | 22 zł |
| Large Family Card (Karta Dużej Rodziny) (standard ticket) | 11 zł |
| Kraków Card (Karta Krakowska) (standard ticket, 20% discount) | 17.60 zł |
| Identity card of an anti-communist opposition activist | 1 zł |
| Audio guide – rental | 15 zł |
Free admission: Monday – free admission (tickets online or at the ticket office as far as places are available).
Exemption from the fee applies, among others, to veterans, holders of the Karta Polaka (Polish Card), members of ICOM and ICOMOS and members of the eMHaKa Club. A guided tour of the permanent exhibition costs PLN 280.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: not available
- Accessible parking: not available
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The building has architectural barriers: a dozen or so steps lead down to the square in front of the synagogue, and there is no lift or ramp. There is no toilet for people with disabilities. A visit with a Polish Sign Language interpreter is possible if arranged in advance. Assistance dogs are welcome.
Kids & families
| Family ticket | 44 zł · Two adults with two children up to 16 years of age, one adult with three children up to 16, one adult with two children, or two adults with one child. |
|---|
- Playground / play area: not available
The museum informs visitors that there is no room or corner for children in the branch.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Miodowa
Trams running along ulica Starowiślna; the nearest stops are “Miodowa” and “św. Wawrzyńca”.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
There are no parking spaces at the branch; the nearest is the paid parking zone at ul. Szeroka 15, 30 and 38.
- Accessible parking: not available
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi: not available
The museum informs visitors that there is no Wi-Fi in the branch. The ticket office is at the entrance on the ground floor.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Bookings and information about the visit: info@muzeumkrakowa.pl. Tickets can be bought online or at the ticket office. |
