Renaissance Synagogue in Pińczów

If you believe the legends and old stories, the history of the Jewish community in Pińczów dates back to the 14th century. At that time, King Casimir the Great was to give the local Jews a plot for the first synagogue. According to historians, this fact should be treated only as a legend, which, however, testifies to the centuries-old tradition of the Pińczów so called "shtetl".

The first known written mention of Pińczów Jews dates back to the 16th century. Pińczów was a private town for many centuries. Its owners provided Jews with freedom in their activities, religious tolerance and security. The synagogue is the only tangible trace that can be found today in the fabric of this small town.

It is worth mentioning that in the 18th century there were three synagogues in Pińczów, and two of them (brick) survived until World War II. After the tragic events of the occupation, the synagogue at ul. Krakowska was demolished, leaving only the old synagogue.

Today, the revitalized synagogue is part of the Pińczów Regional Museum. The raw block on a square plan is devoid of major decorative elements. Adjacent to the main hall (the so-called men's hall) is a small kahal hall. Above them, there is a women's room, i.e. women's gallery, which opens onto the men's room through three narrow window openings. The vestibule, which is decorated with wall paintings (polychromes), leads to the interior of the synagogue.

You will find both texts of prayers and representations of plants and animals full of symbolism. The largest room, which takes up more than half of the synagogue, is the men's hall. An interesting portal leads to it from the vestibule. In this room, note the two tall, now stained-glass windows. Between them there is a preserved, Renaissance altar cabinet (i.e. Aron Kodesh). In this room, pay attention to the extremely valuable paintings from the 17th century.