The Spanish Synagogue is the "youngest" synagogue in Prague. It was built on the site of the oldest Jewish house of worship, called the Old School, in 1867. The architectural composition of the synagogue is made in the Moorish style, which distinguishes it from other temples. The construction of the synagogue lasted for 25 years, in the design of the building and interior design involved prominent architects of the time - Ullmann Wojciech Ignac, Guido Bielski, Baum and Munzberg.
In the 16th century, a group of Sephardic Jews from Spain arrived in Prague to escape persecution by the Spanish Inquisition. They were given the Old School to live in, where they lived happily for several years. But due to the growing number of parishioners, there was a need for a new building for the synagogue. After construction, it was named "Spanish".
The Spanish synagogue is more like a mosque than a Jewish temple.
Catholic-Muslim-Jewish styles of decoration are closely intertwined in its interior. The building itself is built in the Neo-Renaissance style, based on a square, and the central dome crowning the synagogue emphasizes the grandeur of the temple. Places for parishioners are located not in the usual synagogue, around the beam, but in rows, as in the Orthodox Church.
The interior design of the synagogue imitates the interior of the Spanish Alhambra in Grenada. According to religious traditions, much attention in interior decoration is paid to ornaments. Geometric and plant motifs inherent in Islamic architecture predominate. Around a lot of gilding and stucco, doors and railings are decorated with carved figures, preserved murals and original stained glass windows.
In 1941 the synagogue was closed. The German occupiers turned the synagogue building into confiscated property. After the Second World War, it was in desolation for a long time.
The walls and dome were in a very dilapidated condition, and in 1986 it was decided to demolish the Spanish synagogue.
Fortunately, the Institute for the Protection of Monuments was able to overturn the demolition decision and hand it over to the Prague Jewish community, which in turn leased it to the Prague Jewish Museum, noting all the conditions for preserving the synagogue's historical holdings. Reconstruction was carried out in the late twentieth century and now the temple again serves religious purposes, there are services.
In the 16th century, a group of Sephardic Jews from Spain arrived in Prague to escape persecution by the Spanish Inquisition. They were given the Old School to live in, where they lived happily for several years. But due to the growing number of parishioners, there was a need for a new building for the synagogue. After construction, it was named "Spanish".
The Spanish synagogue is more like a mosque than a Jewish temple.
Catholic-Muslim-Jewish styles of decoration are closely intertwined in its interior. The building itself is built in the Neo-Renaissance style, based on a square, and the central dome crowning the synagogue emphasizes the grandeur of the temple. Places for parishioners are located not in the usual synagogue, around the beam, but in rows, as in the Orthodox Church.
The interior design of the synagogue imitates the interior of the Spanish Alhambra in Grenada. According to religious traditions, much attention in interior decoration is paid to ornaments. Geometric and plant motifs inherent in Islamic architecture predominate. Around a lot of gilding and stucco, doors and railings are decorated with carved figures, preserved murals and original stained glass windows.
In 1941 the synagogue was closed. The German occupiers turned the synagogue building into confiscated property. After the Second World War, it was in desolation for a long time.
The walls and dome were in a very dilapidated condition, and in 1986 it was decided to demolish the Spanish synagogue.
Fortunately, the Institute for the Protection of Monuments was able to overturn the demolition decision and hand it over to the Prague Jewish community, which in turn leased it to the Prague Jewish Museum, noting all the conditions for preserving the synagogue's historical holdings. Reconstruction was carried out in the late twentieth century and now the temple again serves religious purposes, there are services.
Translated automatically from Ukrainian. View original
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