Jewish Heritage in Chmielnik

Description

Located at the crossing of the Staszów – Jędrzejów and Kielce – Tarnów roads, Chmielnik has a synagogue and two Jewish cemeteries: they testify to the wealth and importance of the former Jewish community of Chmielnik.
The synagogue was erected (ca 1634) north of the market square, in the center of the Jewish district. Nothing is left of the original synagogue furnishings because the building was destroyed by fire in the 19th century. During the reconstruction works the prayer hall was provided with a four-section ceiling with geometric stucco decorations. During the wartime, Germans added a wooden ceiling to the prayer hall, removed furnishings and dismantled the balustrade of the section for women. The older cemetery of the Chmielnik Jewish community was established in the medieval times and located near the northern wall of the synagogue. By the order of the 19th century authorities Jews had to stop using that cemetery for burials. A new necropolis was opened in 1820. It was nearly completely devastated by the Nazis during WWII. The area was re-arranged and fenced in 2008: Rescued tombstones were returned to the cemetery and put upright, and a monument in shape of a lapidarium was constructed of the broken tombstones in the cemetery corner.
The Meetings with the Jewish Culture festival in Chmielnik has become an annual event. It features such attractions as an art exhibition (paintings), music recitals, film projections, dances, and a promotion of Jewish cuisine dishes.

Opening hours:
phone: +48 41 354 23 97 (Mr Piotr Krawczyk)

Ticket prices: free

Tourist Information Point in Chmielnik
ul. 13 stycznia 17
26-020 Chmielnik
phone: +48 41 354 47 26
www.chmielnik.com

Information can be obtained in The Regional Center of Tourist Information
ul. Sienkiewicza 29
25-007 Kielce
phone: +48 41 348 00 60
e-mail: informacja@swietokrzyskie.travel