A beautiful synagogue is not only a spiritual home or an architectural piece of art. In various places around the world, synagogues stand as a last remnant to commemorate an entire community that perished.
Here are 10 Jewish ancient synagogues that offer glimpses into Judaism’s past. Over 200 years of glory and splendor alongside harsh periods.
1. The Spanish Synagogue, Prague
Prague has rich Jewish history and the Jewish Quarter is still home to many synagogues. The Spanish Synagogue, completed in 1868, takes inspiration for its intricate golden arches and blue hues from Moorish Revival Style.
2. Dohany Street Great Synagogue, Budapest
Built between 1854-1859, the Dohany Street Synagogue is Europe’s largest Synagogue, seats 3,000 people. This huge building survived World War 2 only because the Nazis used it as various headquarters for themselves. During the Holocaust, several hundred thousands of Jews in Budapest were killed by the Nazis and only less than 10% survived.
3. Temple Adas Israel, Sag Harbor, Long Island
On Rosh Hashanah 1900 the Jewish community of Sag Harbor opened the synagogue building, then called Mishkan Israel. It is the oldest building on Long Island to be continuously used as a synagogue. This year for the 118th time the Synagogue was filled for Rosh Hashana with congregants of Adas Israel – that has been its name for the past 100 years.
4.Tykocin Synagogue, Poland
The 17th century baroque Great Synagogue in Tykocin, Poland, built in 1642, attracts over 40,000 tourists a year. However, the city had never restored its Jewish population after the devastation of the Holocaust. The acoustics here are phenomenal as the pillars in the center of the building each arched out into the ceiling. The walls of the Synagogue are decorated with restored texts of Hebrew prayers. The richly decorated Holy Ark and Bimah are breathtaking.
5. The Choral Synagogue of Vilnius, “Jerusalem of Lithuania”
Vilnius, what the jews would call Vilna, was one of the largest Jewish centers in Europe until 1941. Perhaps no city better exemplifies the effects of the Holocaust. The Choral Synagogue of Vilnius, completed in 1903, is the only synagogue still in use in a city that once had more than 100. The wholly unexpected interior design of the Synagogue is stunning Moorish style and decor.
6. Ibn Danan Synagogue in Fes, Morocco
17th century Ibn Danan synagogue, one of the oldest and most important Jewish houses of worship in Africa, and Morocco’s oldest synagogue. Visiting here can see the 17th-century lambskin Torah scroll. The Synagogue’s upstairs terrace overlooks the city’s huge Jewish cemetery. The synagogue actively used until World War 2. It was abandoned in the post-war chaos and due to a large immigration of Morocco’s Jewish population to Israel after 1948.
7. Synagogue of Casale Monferrato, Italy
The Jewish heritage of Northern Italy can be traced back to the Fifth century. The Jewish population flourished. Over 20 synagogues and numerous Jewish cemeteries were built. The most magnificent synagogue in Italy, Synagogue of Casale Monferrato, built in 1595 and located on the road between Milan and Turin. It is particularly known for its amazing Baroque interior with walls and ceiling embellished with elaborate painting, carving and gilding.
8. Grand Choral Synagogue of St. Petersburg, Russian
The second largest synagogue in Europe, The Grand Choral Synagogue of St. Petersburg was built between 1880 and 1888, and consecrated in 1893. It combines architectural styles such us Byzantine Revival architecture and Moorish Revival architecture. Nowdays the Synagogue is a home to the Russian Orthodox Jewish population.
9. Abuhav synagogue, Safed, Israel
Secrets of the Kabbalah are hidden within the structure of the Abuhav Synagogue in the mystic city of Tzfat (or Safed) in the Galilee, northen Israel. It was built in the 15th-century. The Synagogue’s Torah reading platform stands in the center of the hall with six stairs leading up to it. The southern wall (facing Jerusalem) in which the Holy Ark stands is very unique. There are three Holy Arks Instead of one!
10. Hurva Synagogue, Jerusalem
The Jerusalem’s historic Hurva Synagogue was built in 1864, destroyed by Jordan’s Arab Legion in 1948 and rebuilt in 2010. Take a glimpse of the sanctuary inside: the fine architecture, the paintings and adornments decorate this important landmark in the Old City of Jerusalem.