Kazimierz – the history of the district that became the heart of Krakow

It's hard to believe while walking today between restaurants, galleries, and historic tenement houses, but Kazimierz was a separate city for over 500 years. It had its own market square, town hall, defensive walls, and developed independently from Krakow.

Only over time did its history begin to intertwine with the history of the royal city. It was here that for centuries one of the most important Jewish communities in Europe developed, synagogues, market squares, and streets arose, which to this day create the unique character of this part of Krakow.

Today Kazimierz looks completely different than it did several decades ago, but it has retained its authenticity. Just turn into one of the side streets to see traces of history that have survived for hundreds of years.

If you wonder what is worth knowing about Kazimierz in Krakow, this guide will help you better understand why this district has fascinated both residents and first-time visitors to Krakow for years.

Where did Kazimierz come from and why was it a separate city for centuries?

Today it is hard to imagine, but for most of its history, Kazimierz did not belong to Krakow.

It all began in 1335 when Kazimierz III the Great decided to establish a new city right next to royal Krakow. However, it was not just another settlement. It received city rights, its own defensive walls, market square, town hall, and churches. For the next centuries, it developed independently, having its own residents, trade, and administration.

Thanks to its location on the Vistula River, Kazimierz quickly became an important center of crafts and trade exchange. It was here that merchants met, workshops were established, and city life centered around today's Wolnica Square, which for centuries served as the market. It was only in 1791 that Kazimierz was officially incorporated into Krakow. Nevertheless, it still retained its own street and spatial layout to this day.

History of Jewish Kazimierz - a place that changed the face of the city

You cannot tell the history of Kazimierz without simultaneously telling about the Jewish community that co-created its identity for over four centuries.

In 1495, King Jan I Olbracht decided to relocate the Jewish residents of Krakow to Kazimierz. Over time one of the most important Jewish communities in Europe arose here. In a small part of the city there were religious schools, print shops, houses of prayer, and above all synagogues, which still belong to the most valuable monuments of the city.

One of the most outstanding figures of those times was Moses Isserles, also known as Remuh. A rabbi, philosopher, and scholar whose teachings had a huge influence on Judaism. To this day, his grave at the Remuh Synagogue is visited by pilgrims from around the world.

Visiting Kazimierz, it is hard not to notice how much of this history has survived. The Old Synagogue, Remuh Synagogue, Tempel Synagogue, and Isaac Synagogue still remind us of the times when this part of the city was one of the most important centers of Jewish culture in Europe.

The most tragic chapter of Jewish Kazimierz's history began during World War II. Although the ghetto was established in nearby Podgórze, it was from here that thousands of residents were displaced. After the war, the district was deserted for many years and lost its former character.

Revival came only several decades later. Today Kazimierz is alive again, but the memory of its past remains present at every step. In historic synagogues, on memorial plaques, during the Jewish Culture Festival, and in the stories of residents who take care to ensure that this extraordinary history is not forgotten.

Kazimierz today - a history still being written on the streets

For many years Kazimierz remained a forgotten part of Krakow. This changed only in the 1990s when the world turned its attention to it again. The film Schindler's List directed by Steven Spielberg, with many scenes shot here, had a big impact. That is when the revitalization of the district began and the rediscovery of it, first by Krakow residents and later by guests from around the world.

Today Kazimierz is not an open-air museum or a skansen. It is one of the most authentic parts of the city, where history intertwines with everyday life. Next to centuries-old synagogues are small bookstores, art studios, and family businesses run for generations.

It is worth starting your walk from Wolnica Square, the former market of Kazimierz city, then walk along Józefa Street and Szeroka Street, where history is literally within reach. Along the way, you pass the Old Synagogue, Remuh Synagogue, and Remuh Cemetery, and a few minutes later you reach Nowy Square.

It is here that the famous Okrąglak is located, which has been one of the most characteristic points of Kazimierz for years. For residents, it is just a place to get a zapiekanka after meeting friends or an evening walk; for many tourists, it is a mandatory stop when discovering this part of Krakow. If you want to try a classic Krakow zapiekanka, there is hardly a better address.

Kazimierz today - a district you come back to

The history of Kazimierz did not end with the last chapter in the textbook. It is still being written every day. If you really want to understand the history of Kazimierz, don’t start by reading more information boards. Start with a walk. Sit for a moment at Wolnica Square. Listen to the bugle call coming from afar. Walk down Szeroka Street, peek at Nowy Square, and see how the same space changes from morning to late evening.

Without a doubt, that is when it is easiest to understand why so many people fall in love with this part of Krakow. And if you stay in apartments in Krakow located in the city center, like Bogoria House, you can get to Kazimierz in just a few minutes.

At the reception, we often hear one question: "Where to go in Kazimierz so as not to end up only in tourist places?" And that is exactly what we like most - recommending our favorite streets, bookstores, wine bars, places for coffee, or a zapiekanka at Okrąglak. Without a doubt, Kazimierz is best discovered with recommendations from someone who really visits here.