About High Synagogue (Kraków)

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High Synagogue is an inactive Orthodox Jewish synagogue in Kazimierz District of Kraków, Poland. It was called the High (or Tall) Synagogue for many centuries for it was the tallest synagogue in the city, or because the prayer hall was upstairs. In the second half of the 16th century, a wealthy merchant known only as Israel, proposed to King Sigismund II August his request for permission to set up a synagogue. He obtained the agreement and in 1563 he started construction. Other sources state the construction date to the years 1556-1563. According to one hypothesis, the synagogue was built by emigrants - Sephardic Jews, perhaps from Greece or Italy. It appears to be in a Renaissance manner with certain modifications common north of the alps (most notably the tracery, which resembles that of St-Pierre in Caen). It was the third synagogue to be erected in Kazimierz. The prayer rooms were located on the second floor above the ground floor shops. The interior walls of the sanctuary featured paintings of scenes in Jerusalem, including the "Tomb of the Israelite Kings," "Western Wall," and a handsome pair of lions in the women's gallery.

Source From: Wikipedia
38, Kazimierz, Kraków, Kraków, małopolskie, Polska, 31-056

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