Home Places Things Glossary Photos Blog
Toggle sidebar
Home
Places
Poland
Lesser Poland
Krakow
Krakow Historic Sites
Tempel Synagogue

Tempel Synagogue Krakow, Poland

Tempel Synagogue, Krakow
Image credit: Yaffa Grinblatt

Overview
old-fashioned flower design element

Tempel Synagogue is a 19th-century Reform synagogue in Krakow built in an attractive neo-Renaissance style with Moorish interior decorations. Its grandeur best captures the wealth of Jewish life here before the war.

History
old-fashioned flower design element

Tempel Synagogue was founded by Krakow's Reform Jews and has traditionally hosted services for the non-Orthodox Jews of the city. It was built in 1860-62 in the neo-Renaissance style designed by Ignacy Hercok. The building was enlarged in 1868, 1893, and 1924.

During World War II, Tempel Synagogue was badly damaged by the Nazis, who used it as a magazine. Services resumed after the war, and a mikvah was added in 1947.

Regular prayer services were held here until 1985, in Polish and German as well as Hebrew. The synagague was completely renovated in 1995-2000. Today, the Tempel Synagogue remains active as a place of worship, but services are only held a few times each year. The fine building often hosts concerts of Jewish and classical music.

Description
old-fashioned flower design element

Tempel Synagogue is a large rectangular building with a fine neo-Renaissance facade.

Inside, the dominant impression is of the East, with gilded Moorish-style woodwork, a gilded wooden gallery, and dome-shaped marble ark. It is lit by colorful stained glass windows and topped with an elaborate ceiling.