Welcome to Kazimierz!

Kazimierz, the heart of Jewish Krakow, is now a thriving district, a mixture of cultural festivals, caf� culture, antique shops, art galleries, restaurants and bars, a place to watch the world go by over a coffee or to catch up with friends.

However, it would be wrong to talk about Kazimierz merely in those terms, for any visitor, regardless of nationality or religious persuasion, it's worth pointing out that Kazimierz's history spans centuries. It was originally established in 1335 and named after its founder, King Kazimierz Wielki (Casimir the Great), who intended it to rival the established city of Krakow.

It remains one of the most culturally significant Jewish areas in the world. In 1495, the Jews who were expelled from Krakow settled here, and Kazimierz became a mixture of Christian and Jewish culture.

During the war the Nazis did all they could to destroy and ruin Kazimierz. After the war, decades of communist neglect left Kazimierz a crumbling ruin. It became a dark and dangerous place, a district to be avoided after nightfall.

With communism's fall, Kazimierz has changed beyond all recognition. As well as the aforementioned art galleries and caf�s, buildings have been renovated and museums opened. There has also been a reawakening in the importance of Jewish history and culture in Poland, for instance, the Jewish Culture Festival which takes place every year attracts thousands of visitors, both Jews and non-Jews alike.

Perhaps one of the most important factors in Kazimierz's renewal was Steven Spielberg's film, Schindler's List, which was filmed here and which generated intense interest in the area.

With its beguiling streets, unforgettable and unique atmosphere, synagogues and museums, as well as its caf�s, bars and art galleries, Kazimierz is a place that anyone who comes to Krakow must visit. To make this an easier experience we've produced this visual and virtual guide to the area, from sites of interest, to where to eat, drink and sleep. Whether you decide to use our "menu" system or our interactive map, complete with print friendly version, we hope that rather like a traditional guidebook, you'll get a feel for Kazimierz before coming.

As part of our aim to provide a comprehensive guide we've also included information on Auschwitz-Birkenau and we've also included what might be termed "non-Jewish" information, as you'll see, both the Soup and Bread Festival are now very much an integral part of Kazimierz's history.

All in all, Jewish Krakow is the essential guide to Kazimierz. We welcome comments from users, we can be contacted on contact@jewishkrakow.net