Kazimierz was originally founded as an independent city by Polish king Kazimierz the Great in 1335. It was a typical medieval location - according to the Brandenburg Rule - with main square (Plac Wolnica) and surrounded by right angled streets.

In order to make it even more attractive to Cracow, the city was allowed to trade some goods (salt, meat, metals) without taxes. This attracted traders from all over the world, many of them were Jewish. In 15th century when Jews were pushed out from other European cities, also polish king - Jan Olbracht ordered polish Jews to move out from main cities, but in the same time he allowed them to move into Kazimierz (creating "oppidum iudaeorum"). Since then the district became de-facto a Jewish quarter with its schools, synagogs and cemeteries. The district was divided in two parts - Christian (right from Krakowska st) and Jewish (left from Krakowska st) heading Vistula river. The Szeroka st was epicenter of the Jewish community.

The Nazis removed nearly the entire Jewish population from here during the war. Today Kazimierz is inhabited mostly by Christians. After decades of neglect Kazimierz finally attracted new inhabitants and found its way onto the silver screen thanks to Steven Spielberg, who came here to shoot Schindler's List (also known as Schindler's Ark). Since the early 1990s, the focus of the world-famous Jewish Culture Festival is the history and traditions of the people who once lived here; with workshops, lectures, and exhibitions. Kazimierz is also a place especially cherished by all lovers of antiques and second-hand objects. In the countless antique shops, bargains and true rarities lie side by side with cheap trinkets and bric a brac. Every Sunday morning turns Plac Nowy and Plac "pod Halą Targową" into a lively flea market.

• Szeroka street
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