Zagreb Synagogue

Zagreb Synagogue
Croatian: Zagrebačka sinagoga
An image of the synagogue in 1906
Religion
AffiliationOrthodox Judaism (former)
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusSynagogue (1867–1941)
StatusDestroyed
Location
LocationPraška Street, Zagreb
CountryCroatia
Zagreb Synagogue is located in Croatia
Zagreb Synagogue
Location of the destroyed synagogue in Croatia
Geographic coordinates45°48′42.5″N 15°58′41″E / 45.811806°N 15.97806°E / 45.811806; 15.97806
Architecture
Architect(s)Franjo Klein
TypeSynagogue architecture
StyleMoorish Revival
Date established1806 (as a congregation)
Completed1867
Specifications
Direction of façadeWest
Capacity488 (original design)
708 (1921 adaptation)
Length30 m (98 ft)
Width19.7 m (65 ft)
Height (max)24 m (79 ft)
[1][2]

The Zagreb Synagogue (Croatian: Zagrebačka sinagoga) was a former Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in Zagreb, in modern-day Croatia. The synagogue building was constructed in 1867 in the Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia within the Austrian Empire, and was used until it was demolished by the Ustaše fascist authorities in 1941 in the Axis-aligned Independent State of Croatia.

The Moorish Revival synagogue, designed after the Leopoldstädter Tempel in Vienna, was located on modern-day Praška Street. It was the only purpose-built Jewish synagogue in the history of the city, and was one of the city's most prominent public buildings, as well as one of the most esteemed examples of synagogue architecture in the region.[3]

Since the 1980s, plans were made to rebuild the synagogue in its original location. Due to various political circumstances, very limited progress has been made. Major disagreements exist between the government and Jewish organizations as to how much the latter should be involved in decisions about the reconstruction project, including proposed design and character of the new building.

  1. ^ Knežević 1999, p. 138.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Knezevic_en was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Vraćen i prostor u Praškoj ulici gdje je nekad bila zagrebačka sinagoga". Vjesnik (in Croatian). January 12, 2001.