News
TRH open a new centre for the Jewish community in Krakow, Poland
28th April 2008
The Prince of Wales was thanked by Jewish people in Krakow today for being the driving force behind a new community centre in Poland.
The Prince was in Poland with The Duchess of Cornwall to formally open the Jewish Community Centre, built by World Jewish Relief, in Krakow's Jewish district of Kazimierz.
The Prince became Patron of the community centre project, which was funded by the charity World Jewish Relief (WJR), after visiting Poland in 2002.
During the visit, The Prince met elderly Holocaust survivors and was deeply moved by their plight.
On his return to the United Kingdom, the charity began working towards building the centre on His Royal Highness’s initiative.
During the visit today, Holocaust survivors from Krakow described how the project will help keep their culture alive in the city whose Jewish population was devastated by the Nazis during the Second World War.
After touring the building, The Prince spoke to the gathered community leaders, residents and the Chief Rabbi of Poland, Michael Schudrich.
In a speech he said: "For both my wife and myself, going around it just now and seeing some of the uses to which it's being put, has warmed our hearts".
"I can hardly believe after what seems a very long time we are at last able to open this Jewish community centre here in Krakow.
"For me it's very moving indeed to be able to join the Jewish community here in Krakow, who I know have suffered so much in the past, and to be able to join you today on the steps of this new community centre which so many people have contributed to through their remarkable generosity."
The Prince told the audience that during his tour of the centre he had met Jewish community members who had survived the Second World War, and added that the community had "borne witness to the darkest clouds of human history".
The centre in Krakow, known as the "cultural jewel" of Poland, will provide much-needed resources for the Jewish community.
Krakow is a popular city in the south of Poland, and is famed for its rich cultural heritage which attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Earlier, Their Royal Highnesses were greeted by hundreds of tourists when arrived in Krakow's main square - Rynek Glowny.
The Prince and The Duchess stood in the shadow of the impressive St Mary's Basilica - an imposing brick-built Gothic church - and went inside for a guided tour.
The church has an impressive and ornately-decorated interior and also features stained glass windows created by famous Polish artist Stanislaw Wyspianski.
The Prince and The Duchess walked towards the massive late Gothic altar piece called The Lives Of Our Lady And Her Son Jesus Christ, which was completed in the late 15th Century by the German master carver Veit Stoss.
The artwork carved in wood depicts biblical scenes and is richly coloured in gold and blues and reds.
Their Royal Highnesses spent around 15 minutes listening to a talk about the creation before they left the place of worship to tour the nearby Cloth Market.