Stara Synagoga - Oddział Muzeum Historycznego Miasta Krakowa

The branch is part of the Historical Museum of the City of Cracow. It was established in 1959. It collects monuments of Jewish history and culture, especially those related to the history and culture of Cracovian Jews. It promotes knowledge about the life, culture and traditions of the Jewish community through exhibitions, educational activities, popularization and the provision of a specialized book collection. The Old Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in Poland. It was erected in the 15th century on the model of German and Czech Gothic synagogues. Before World War I and after it was completed was a multi-stage restaurant, designed in 1904, 1913 and 1923 by Zygmunt Hendel. In 1941, during the creation of the ghetto by the Germans in Cracow, it was taken over by the German Treuhandstelle and used as a warehouse. Her equipment was destroyed. By the end of 1944, its vault had fallen, perhaps destroyed consciously. In the years 1956-1959 it was restored. On the basis of an agreement concluded on October 30, 1959 between the Jewish Religious Community in Cracow and the Historical Museum, a museum was created - the Department of Acts and Culture of Jews.