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Obj. ID: 1074
Jewish Architecture
  Kupa Synagogue in Kraków, Poland

© Center for Jewish Art, Photographer: Khaimovich, Boris, 1995

The Kupa ("Cashbox") Synagogue was built in 1643 with funds contributed by the goldsmiths of Kazimierz. [See: Izabella Rejduch-Samkowa and Jan Samek, eds., Katalog Zabytków Sztuki w Polsce, vol. 4: Miasto Kraków, part 6: Kazimierz i Stradom; Judaica: Bóżnice, budowle publiczne i cmentarze (Warsaw: Instytut Sztuki Polskiej Akademii Nauk, 1995), pp. 18-20.]

Initially, the city walls completely hid this synagogue from outside view due to its low position (the current floor is about 80 cm higher than the original).

Renovations and additions introduced many changes to the building over the centuries. A two-story annex, containing a vestibule and washrooms, was added some time between 1830 and 1834. The western wing of the synagogue was built in 1861. At the end of the 19th century the edifice was joined to an adjacent structure. After being ravaged during World War II, the synagogue had to be meticulously restored. 

The northern wall of the synagogue connects with remnants of the medieval city wall of Kazimierz, while its south side faces Warszauera Street. The colorful interior of the Kupa Synagogue serves as an exhibition hall and venue for musical events.

For the synagogue interior see:


See also:

Summary and Remarks
Remarks

7 image(s)

sub-set tree:

Name/Title
Kupa Synagogue in Kraków | Unknown
Object Detail
Monument Setting
Unknown
Date
1643 (building), 1920s (wall paintings)
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
1925
Artist/ Maker
Unknown
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Congregation
Unknown
Location
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Period
Unknown
Period Detail
Collection
Unknown |
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Iconographical Subject
Unknown |
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
Material / Technique
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
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Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
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Length
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Panel Measurements
Condition
Extant
Yes
Documented by CJA
Yes
Surveyed by CJA
Present Usage
Present Usage Details
Condition of Building Fabric
Architectural Significance type
Historical significance: Event/Period
Historical significance: Collective Memory/Folklore
Historical significance: Person
Architectural Significance: Style
Architectural Significance: Artistic Decoration
Urban significance
Significance Rating
0
Ornamentation
Custom
Contents
Codicology
Scribes
Script
Number of Lines
Ruling
Pricking
Quires
Catchwords
Hebrew Numeration
Blank Leaves
Direction/Location
Façade (main)
Endivances
Location of Torah Ark
Location of Apse
Location of Niche
Location of Reader's Desk
Location of Platform
Temp: Architecture Axis
Arrangement of Seats
Location of Women's Section
Direction Prayer
Direction Toward Jerusalem
Coin
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Signature
Colophon
Scribal Notes
Watermark
Hallmark
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Trade Mark
Binding
Decoration Program
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
Main Surveys & Excavations
Sources

Rodov, Ilia. The Torah Ark in Renaissance Poland: A Jewish Revival of Classical Antiquity (Leiden and Boston: Brill, 2013)
Izabella Rejduch-Samkowa and Jan Samek, eds., Katalog Zabytków Sztuki w Polsce, vol. 4: Miasto Kraków, part 6: Kazimierz i Stradom; Judaica: Bóżnice, budowle publiczne i cmentarze (Warsaw: IS PAN, 1995), pp. 18-20.; Maria and Kaziemerz Piechotka, Bramy Nieba: Bóznice murowane na ziemiach dzwnei Rzeczypospolitej, (Warszawa: Krupski i S-ka, 1999), pp. 127-128.; Eleonora Bergman and Jan Jagelski, Zachowane Synagogi i domy molitwy w Polsce: Katalog (Żydowski Institut Historyczny, Warszawa, 1996), p. 65.
Type
Documenter
Boris Khaimovich | 1994
Author of description
Boris Khaimovich | 2014
Architectural Drawings
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Computer Reconstruction
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Section Head
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Language Editor
Yeshayahu Gruber | 2015
Donor
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Negative/Photo. No.
The following information on this monument will be completed:
Unknown |