Kazimierz, Historical Jewish quarter in Krakow, Poland.
Kazimierz is a district south of the Old Town in Krakow that stretches from Dietla Street to the Vistula, marked by low buildings with inner courtyards. The lanes run in irregular patterns between small squares where workshops and restaurants cluster.
The king founded a separate town here in 1335 that remained apart from medieval Krakow and was fortified with its own walls. In the 19th century the settlement was incorporated into the growing metropolis and lost its legal independence.
The name comes from King Casimir the Great, who founded a separate settlement that kept its own character for centuries. Today this legacy appears in the preserved synagogues and small cafés housed in old vaulted cellars.
A walk starts well at Plac Nowy, where you can try local food, and continues through Józefa Street with its small shops. The cobblestone lanes suit walking well, though comfortable shoes are recommended.
Every June a multi-day festival turns the streets into stages where klezmer ensembles and dance groups perform. Visitors can join workshops and experience small concerts in courtyards that continue into the night.
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