Synagogue (Slonim)

Synagogue in Slonim (2010)

Inside view with bima

The synagogue in Slonim , a Belarusian town in the Hrodsenskaya Woblasz , was built in 1642. It was not destroyed in World War II.

history

Originally the synagogue consisted of the main hall and flat prayer rooms for women on the north wall. It is not known whether there was a vestibule at the beginning , as extensions have been added over the years and these have been rebuilt again and again.

One can assume that the roof was hidden behind an attic . In the 18th century, however, it was fundamentally rebuilt and replaced by a high, steep gable roof . The gable on the east side facing the city was rebuilt in the Baroque style and was supposed to resemble the local basilica . The western gable was in a simple triangular shape.

Contrary to the habits of synagogues, stalls were also built along the east side in the 19th century.

The synagogue was not destroyed in World War II and was then used as a furniture store. But amateurish renovations were carried out and the external extensions were rebuilt or demolished.

In addition to the Great Synagogue in the Polish city of Tykocin , this is the only synagogue from the 17th century in which the supporting bima has been preserved almost unchanged.

Today (2020) the building is no longer used as a warehouse and is in poor condition; however, efforts are underway to fundamentally renovate it.

architecture

The main hall measures 16 × 13 m inside. The floor is considerably lower than the floor of the external environment. The room is up to 11.50 m high, with the vault supported by the bima .

There are three high arched windows on each of the sides ; an exception is the east side, behind which the Torah shrine is located. There are only two such windows and an oculus in between .

The walls and pillars inside were multicolored and decorated. Some of these are still preserved.

Individual evidence

↑ Maria and Kazimierz Piechotka: Heaven's Gates. Masonry synagogues in the territories of the former Polish - Lithuania Commonwealth. Page 225 ff. Polish Institute of World Art Studies & POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, Warsaw 2017, ISBN 978-83-942344-3-0 . Detailed description.