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Fully kosher hotel in the heart of Kazimierz District in Cracow

Kazimierz district in Cracow is well-known for its jewish history. Now it is about to get a step forward. Between ul. Dietla and Podbrzezie, next to the Temple synagogue with the Jewish Community Center, a 4-star hotel is about to open. It wouldn’t be unusual, if not for the fact that is going to be completely kosher!

The opening is planned for autumn next year. Hotel will have 117 rooms, a kosher kitchen and a mikveh (used for ritual washing of the body).  The hotel will be on a standard of 4 stars. The height of the building was adapted to the surroundings.

The investment includes reconstruction of the tenement house at ul. Dietla 59 and the creation of a new building with an underground garage for 25 parking spots at ul. Podbrzezie 4. The new hotel will have a historical façade with numerous decorations and a characteristic balcony.  The hotel will have a courtyard, a conference and banquet area with a total area of nearly 500 m2.

Only kosher meals will be served at the restaurant in the hotel. The kitchen won’t use pork or any non-kosher products. In the restaurant there should be separate cutlery sets for the meat and milk meals, because in the kosher kitchen these dishes can’t be mixed. Orthodox Jews do not eat meat after eating milk for six hours.

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Obwarzanek Krakowski – delicious tradition festival!

Let’s talk about something super delicious and one of the reason to visit Cracow! – Obwarzanek Krakowski.

Braided ring-shaped bread that is boiled and sprinkled with salt, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, etc., before being baked. It has a white, sweetish, moist and chewy crumb underneath a crunchy golden-brown crust. You can get it nearly at every street cart in Cracow streets. It has the status of a regional food with protected geographical indication by European Union.

Now the best part of it all – this year will be the first festival of Obwarzanek ever! On the 26th and 27th of May at Szczepański Square and Planty – masters of pastries from Krakow and the surrounding area will present their products. The date of the event is not accidental – it refers to the privileges granted by Jan Olbracht on May 26, 1496, under which the bagels could be baked and sold only by the Cracovian bakers.

Each visitor will be able to try an obwarzanek – both sauté or with traditional additions of poppy, salt and cheese, as well as in the form of culinary variations created by the best restaurateurs. Local restaurants will start in the competition for the best variation from obwarzanek. At the stands, you will be able to taste various of other specialties from the region. Beside eating, everyone will enjoy a Street Theater performance and many other artistic events, workshops on drawing, preparing obwarzanek from salt mass or baking laboratory.

Krakow was chosen the European Capital of Gastronomy Culture 2019. The advantage of Krakow’s cuisine is its diversity, gastronomic tradition is derived from many cultures. It’s not only one of the most beautiful cities in Poland, with a great history, but also a magnificent place to eat.

In June last year, the European Gastronomic Academy unanimously decided that Krakow will be the European Capital of Gastronomy Culture 2019. In the strict finale of efforts for this title, the capital of Lesser Poland defeated even Lisbon.

Picture source: https://www.thespruceeats.com/jewish-polish-krakover-bagels-recipe-1135425 (btw, you can find a recipe how to make a real Obwarzanek here)

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