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Kazimierz, which lies to the south of the Royal Castle, was once a town in its own right. With its labyrinthine streets and low-standing houses, it feels like a different world to the Old Town, and indeed, you may well get lost here. However, this is not a bad thing, but very much part of the whole experience.
The town was founded in 1335 by King Kazimierz the Great, and as its splendid churches and synagogues evoke, it was once a world of prosperity and tolerance. Yet, despite having set sail on such promising waters, the district was not to have an easy journey. After many ups and downs, the death-knell for Jewish Cracow was sounded in September 1939 with the Nazi invasion. A whole world was swept away.
As recently as the year 2000 much of Kazimierz was still in ruins, a crumbling shell of its former self. Numerous houses, which initially gave the appearance of a squatters' paradise were, on closer inspection, unfit even for mice, since whole floors had collapsed, rendering many areas highly dangerous. Kazimierz was known as a dirty, not altogether safe place, inhabited by stray dogs and morose alcoholics. And to add to this there was the highly emotive issue of land repatriation.
Today, out of the blue, Kazimierz is undergoing a major renaissance. Both its Jewish and Christian heritage is being restored, and colour has returned to its alleys and squares. Just wandering about is an experience in itself, but not to be missed are the Corpus Christi Church, the Tempel Synagogue and ulica Szeroka - the heart of the old Jewish district. Either of the two cemeteries, the Remuh or the New, are also well worth a look. And of the more recent arrivals the Galicia Museum deserves a special mention.
All this is to say nothing of the many bars and cafes which are springing up by the dozen. For in an unexpected twist, it's in Kazimierz that you'll find 'the dopest joints in town' if we can slip into P Diddy parlance. A handful of these are really quite special. Kazimierz is an enchanting place, and a place to reflect on what has gone before us. | | | |
 | | "I've always wondered if jews that were in Kazimierz in the 14th cent. were Sephardic Jews from the Iberian Peninsula ? since the Inquisition started in 1391 not 1492 as historians would have us believe. I feel we were Sephardic before we were Ashkenazic.RM" | richard mallin
United States
Feb.26.2010
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Magnificient chu
Magnificient craig regsrdlreds of the city wolud.judt eoul to sdsinl out. Everythig is going easy provideg You have got locsl gusrd." | PedroAlvarez
Poland
Nov.25.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "I think more people should visit beautiful places like Kazimierz, it makes you realise how precious life is. It is only a small area of Krakow which in a way is a bit run down, but please don't let that put you off,it really does add to the atmosphere of the whole area and one that the visitor must savour. From what I can see it is returning to its old Jewish enviroment, which at one time was so abundant there but was so sadly taken away from the people who lived and worked in the area.I went for a meal at the Ariel restaurant in the Square,and it was wonderful. Jewish cuisine and music which probably happened before the WWII and then world came crashing down for no apparent reason only that they were Jewish. I'm Jewish and for the life of me I can not understand the reasons for this mass murder, it really is beyond comprehension. I will say only one more thing and that is go to Krakow and Kazimierz and try to take in why a small suburb like this, a happy and vibrant suburb, should be subjected to such atrocities. For the love of God it must never happen again for our childrens sakes. Bless you all who read this. " | Carl
United Kingdom
Jul.03.2009
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "I went to Kazmierz in 2008 and I went to the Remuh Synagogue, being Jewish, and it has an atmosphere that is second to none.You go back in time,as you should, but unfortunately it seems to stop at 1939, and you can envisage the horror what must have occurred there. I went to the museum that is there, where apparently Oscar Schindler appeared and tried his utmost to save Jews. He was a remarkable man like many others who tried to save us." | Carl
United Kingdom
Jun.18.2009
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "I am about to visit Krakow for the 3rd time in 12 months (I go again in March). I love this place. I have stayed in both the Old Town and Kazimierz. I prefer to stay in the Kazimierz district. The bars and retuarants seem to be cheaper here and busier and cater for all tastes. I prefer evenings in kazimierz and then making the 10 minute stroll to the old town for wondering around in the daytime." | Dazzler
United Kingdom
Jan.12.2009
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "We visited Kazimierz the day after a trip to Auschwitz (Even now i cannot understand mans inhumanity to man) Its a beautiful place but you cannot help think of what was before. How it happened, how Hoess was able to run Auschwitz in europe in the 20th century. The place is enjoying a renaissance but if you visit and be mindful and respectful of the ethnic cleansing which occured here. Tragic" | James
United Kingdom
Oct.13.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "We visited Kazimierz in July 2007. On a souls searching trip to Auschwitz. We walked from Krakow to Kazimierz and it was well worth the walk. A lovely old town so full of history, visited the cemetary very very old and beautifull, be warned scull caps to be worn and legs to be covered.Stopped in a bar and was pricey but again well worth it just to sit in the square and take it all in. We then walked to the Oscar Shindler factory so much to see and not enough time, I will visit the jewish Quarter next time . But fantastic trip and will be returning in July 08." | lesley
United Kingdom
Dec.30.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "We had a great weekend in Kazimierz early June staying in the Hotel Kazimierz on Miodowa.
Loved wandering the city and taking in the way of life of the normal person, enjoying the wide diversity of foods.
Soaking up the history and trying to imagine what life was like during the war.We wil be back sometime in the not too distant future hopefully.
Your website is very good." | Bob
United Kingdom
Oct.09.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
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