Izaak Synagogue, Baroque synagogue in Kazimierz district, Krakow, Poland.
Izaak Synagogue is a Baroque structure in the Kazimierz neighborhood featuring painted prayers on interior walls, a vaulted ceiling, and ornamental plasterwork throughout. The building at 18 Kupa Street contains a main prayer hall and a women's gallery accessible through its original entrance.
The synagogue was built in 1644 by architect Giovanni Battista Trevano as a landmark of Jewish life in Krakow. During World War II, the Gestapo caused severe damage when they ordered the destruction of Torah scrolls inside.
The synagogue functions as a center for Orthodox Jewish worship and education, where visitors can learn about Jewish customs and community life as practiced in Krakow. The spaces within reveal how people here have gathered for celebrations and religious observances across generations.
Access to the building is straightforward through the original entrance on Kupa Street, with both the main hall and upper gallery open to visitors. Plan enough time to explore the spaces fully, as the architectural details and interior decoration reward careful observation.
The building takes its name from Izaak Jakubowicz, a banker to King Ladislaus IV, who financed its construction after discovering unexpected wealth hidden in his own home. This stroke of fortune led to the creation of one of the most distinctive houses of worship in the Jewish quarter.
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