Casimir is the area, located in the Wisla’s bank. This is integral part of Old City direction. The name comes from the name of the founder The King Casimir The Great. Casimir is a special place, distinguishing from different monuments of the City. The popularity of Casimir was made by unusual climate of this place and penetration of Christian and Jewish great cultures. Called “Jewish District” Casimir was a birthplace of the most famous Jewish painters, musicians, poets and scientists. Special architecture and omnipresent, described in monuments history, is making magic atmosphere in this place. After second World War the district became deserted and run to ruin. For a long time it was associated with ruins and deserted houses. Rebuilding life in Casimir started in 90-th, when the Jewish culture and art became more popular. The monuments of Casimir and also the Old City and Wawel were written to the list of World Heritage of UNESCO in 1978 year.

There were existing many settlements in the area of Casimir in medieval times. In 1335 year The King Casimir The Great started another City. The most probable and considered by historians cause of founding Casimir was a security of Cracow. The evidence could be baileys with towers in corners and four gates and also huge churches: Corpus Christi and Saint Catherine, built in that period. The different version says, that Casimir The Great wanted to create competition to Cracow. There is still existing a legend, that fallen in love with pretty Jewish Estera The King built the city to keep mistress close by. The new, surrounded by baileys city, had regular planned streets, market place and since XV-th century the town hall (Ethnographical Museum at the moment), in which village-mayor and councilors worked. At the end of XV-th century, after decision of Jan Olbracht, all Jewish living in Cracow were moved to Casimir. This way the “Jewish City” was created. Casimir became the biggest and the most important center of Jewish culture soon, with own schools, universities, cemeteries and synagogues. It was developing itself, outside from Christian Cracow up to XVIII-th century, when there was made a decision to include Casimir into Cracow city structures again. This way Casimir became the new district of Cracow. The symbol of this was ruining baileys in 1822 year. During second World War German occupants moved Jewish community to ghetto, created on south side of Wisla in Podgorze district. Ghetto was existing between 1941 and 1943 year. This time from about 64 thousands of Jews living in Casimir before the War only 1 thousand was saved. Actually the Jewish community counts about 150 people.

Actual Casimir is one of the most popular districts of Cracow. The main attractions for tourists are not only rests after old Jewish Casimir, but also many of interesting and special cafes, restaurants and pubs. Casimir is connecting a ghost of the past with entertaining atmosphere of clubs and cultural events. Everybody can find something for him. You can visit one of seven synagogues, gothic churches, galleries, museums and Jewish cemetery. Apart from many of monuments, on the “New Place” located is “rotunda”, where vegetables, fruits and antiques are sold. The walk by the streets of Casimir is very attractive. You can visit bars, special shops and gates. There is something extra for amateurs of entertainment in Casimir, because Casimir is the heart of night life. There are located many clubs and pubs on Casimir. This is a place of meetings of Cracow’s artists and people of culture. One of the most important events on Casimir is Festival of Jewish Culture, during which there is played music in all district, there are lectures and many of exhibitions in Casimir.

These are the most important monuments of actual Casimir:

Synagogues:

• Old Isaac’s,
• Kup’s,
• Tempel,
• Tall,
• Popper’s,
• Remuh’s Synagogue and Cemetery

Churches:

• Corpus Christi,
• Saint Catherine
• Saint Trinity with Bonifratrow hospital

Galleries:

• d'Art Naif Gallery
• Labirynt Gallery
• Nova Gallery
• Olympia Gallery
• Galeria Szalom,
• Szalom Gallery,
• Open Gallery
• Gallery Persia
• The Old Town Hall - Ethnographical Museum