3. Krakow: 3-hour Walking Tour of Jewish Quarter
Follow the history and culture of the Jewish community in Krakow on a guided tour of Kazimierz, the former Jewish district. You will see all of the most important places that are related to the culture and history of its former inhabitants.
For many centuries Jews played their part in creating the history and culture of the city of Kroke, as Krakow is known in Yiddish. Before World War II they made up as much as 25% of the city’s population.
It was here that the famous philosopher Mojżesz Isserles (called Remuh) taught, Helena Rubinstein was born, and Roman Polański spent his childhood.
Meeting point
We will meet you on the stairs at the Old Synagogue, 24 Szeroka Street, 31-053 Krakow.
Sightseeing part I (~ 1.5h)
Our guide will take you for a walk along the streets of Kazimierz, the former Jewish district in Krakow where Jews settled in the 14th century. You will start your walk from Szeroka Street which used to be the center of the so-called Jewish city.
The importance of Szeroka Street is evidenced by the fact that four synagogues here, something that has not happened anywhere else in Europe. You will get to know three of them as the fourth one was demolished during World War II.
On Szeroka Street you will see the buildings that were built in the 16th or 17th centuries, such as The Old Synagogue, the Remuh Synagogue with the old cemetery (entrance), the building of the former ritual bathhouse or the house where the "queen of cosmetics," Helena Rubinstein, was born.
Break for rest and a cup of delicious coffee (0.5h)
You will have an opportunity to rest while sipping a cup of coffee in the world-famous restaurant where Steven Spielberg loved to hang out when he was filming "Schindler's List." There you may want to discuss the lives of the world-famous Jewish entrepreneurs and outstanding personalities of culture and art or learn more about the Jewish traditions.
Sightseeing part II (~ 1h)
Your guide will take you for the second part of the walk along the mysterious and picturesque streets, where synagogues, ritual slaughterhouses, and prayer houses are located. See the Jewish Market Place, surrounded by countless bars, pubs, and restaurants.
Hear the stories related to the everyday life of the quarter and get taken to the so-called Schindler's Backyard which is shown in the film “Schindler's List” and which looks as if it was taken straight from the pre-war days.
Later, you will enjoy the charm of small art galleries with locally made souvenirs, which are located one after another, on a street that used to be one of the most characteristic streets of the Jewish district.
End of the tour
You will end your tour at the High Synagogue. After the lunch break, you may also want to decide on joining other tours organized by our company on that day.