Old synagogue

The Old Synagogue is the eternal, dignified and only well-preserved testimony of the presence of Jews in the city. The first information about them appeared once in 1576 in the treasury accounts, when they paid the poll tax for ten people. But they must have lived here before, according to a town document from 1592, which mentions that their cemetery is ancient, which means that it was very old at that time. Local tradition also mentioned the earlier stay of Jews in Pińczów, according to which King Casimir the Great (died 1370), known for his kindness to the followers of Judaism, offered the local community a place for the first synagogue. Esterka, a friend of the monarch, was to provide the newly built synagogue with a valuable piece of furniture - the chair of the prophet Elijah, which was necessary for circumcision. In this way, the history of Pińczów Jews gained charm and the synagogue gained prestige.