OLD JEWISH CEMETERY

The Old  Jewish Cemetery  is located  next to  the Remuh Synagogue and  is a very unique place not only for Jews but for each visitor who decides to enter this place.

This is a beautifully hidden and  mysterious area where we  touch the history and tradition of Jews who lived in Krakow.

Let me please write a few words about its history.

The first burials were performed here in 1551 and it was in use until 1800,  unfortunately during Nazi occupation it fell into absolute ruin.

After the war the cemetery was “tidied up” but then a great surface of the cemetery appeared to be empty, without any traces of the removed graves, which was quite surprising.

That was why   excavation works  started, during which around 700 gravestones were found,  out of those the oldest  date back to  16th century.

Many of the well preserved tombstones became rearranged in straight rows, and pieces of those which could not be restored  were used to create a  so called ‘wailing wall’, which runs along  Szeroka Street.

Today, the area contains 711 gravestones, some of which are tombstones others free-standing slabs,  which are called matzevahs.

This very place is of a huge significance for many Jews across the world who  still come to worship at the grave of Rabbi Moses Isserles  or Natan Spira   who  were regarded as  great  scholars.

One will not find flowers or candles  there but paper notes called  kvitelach and stones put on tombstones , which is so much different  from what I am used to.

I was visiting the cemetery a few times already but every time I find something unique in architectural details of tombstones which  amazes me.

There  are so many interesting stories and legends  about prominent  Jews who were buried there, which can make our sightseeing  even more interesting .

Hope someday you will visit the old cemetery together with me 😉