Tempel Synagogue

The Tempel Synagogue in Kraków is a Reform synagogue in the Kazimierz district, at 24 Miodowa Street. Built between 1860 and 1862, it was a flagship of the Progressive movement in Jewish life in the Polish lands. Today it is one of the district's most interesting landmarks and one of four active synagogues in the city.

Who built the Tempel, and why?

The architect was Ignacy Hercok, and the model was the Leopoldstädter Tempel in Vienna. The project came from progressive Jewish circles in Kraków, organized in the Association of Progressive Israelites and the Religious and Civilizational Society. The opening capped 17 years of effort to establish a Reform synagogue in the city. The building stands on a rectangular plan and was enlarged several times: in 1868, in the 1890s and in 1924.

What does the Tempel look like?

The architecture blends Moorish elements with neo-Romanesque and Renaissance Revival forms. The synagogue was admired for its rich decoration, and its prestige also rested on the role it played in community life.

Its place in Kraków's story

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the Tempel became a center of Jewish modernity. Sermons were preached in Polish and German, and the building hosted patriotic ceremonies. It showed that part of Kraków's Jewish community combined religious tradition with active participation in Polish public and cultural life.

War and postwar years

During the German occupation the building was badly damaged. Its liturgical furnishings were removed, and the interior was used as a military warehouse and stable. The Tempel was among the few Kraków synagogues that survived the war. For decades afterwards it stood in poor condition. A thorough renovation, initiated and largely funded by the World Monuments Fund, ran from 1994 to 2000 and brought back much of its former splendor.

The synagogue today

The Tempel is an active synagogue, though services are held only occasionally. It also works as a cultural venue and hosts concerts, especially during the Jewish Culture Festival. It lies within Kraków's Historic Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Tempel Synagogue? In Kazimierz, Kraków, at 24 Miodowa Street, close to other landmarks of the former Jewish quarter.

When was it built? Between 1860 and 1862, to a design by Ignacy Hercok.

How does it differ from other synagogues in Kazimierz? It is a Reform synagogue. Sermons were delivered in Polish and German, and its form echoes large urban temples such as the Leopoldstädter Tempel in Vienna.

Can visitors go inside? Yes, the synagogue is open to visitors. It is closed to tourists on Saturdays and Jewish holidays, and closes earlier on Fridays because of the Sabbath.

What else is there to see nearby? A walk through Kazimierz can combine other synagogues, cemeteries and the streets of the old Jewish quarter with local cafés and galleries.