Construction started 1890 Destruction date 4 September 1939 | Opened 1900 Destroyed by Fire , Demolition | |
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Architectural styles Gothic Revival architecture, Renaissance Revival architecture, Eclecticism Architects Ignatz Grünfeld, Max Grünfeld Similar Bielsko Synagogue, Bytom Synagogue, Great Synagogue - Gdansk, New Synagogue - Tarnów, Great Synagogue - Warsaw | ||
Great Synagogue was the largest synagogue in Katowice (Kattowitz), Poland then Germany. It was built in 1900, designed by Ignatz Grünfeld. The synagogue was set on fire by Nazis on 4 September 1939.
Contents
History
The plans to raise a new synagogue in Katowice arose around 1890, when the Old Synagogue (Katowice) became too small for the local worshippers. The construction begun in 1896, and the architect in charge was Max Grünfeld, son of Ignatz Grünfeld who designed the old synagogue. The construction was finished in 1900 and the synagogue was opened on 12 October 1900.
The synagogue was set on fire by Nazis on 5 September 1939, the day after they gained control of the city during the invasion of Poland (1939). After the war the few Jews who survived the Holocaust were unable to gather enough resources and support to rebuild the synagogue. Today in the place where this building once stood is a square (Synagogue Square). In the 1988 a monument was raised in the square, dedicated to the Jewish inhabitants of the city who perished during the Second World War.
Design
The brick synagogue was designed on the basis of a modified rectangle in style mixing Neo-Gothic with Neo-Renaissance, eclecticism and the mauretian style; similar to the style of reformed Judaism synagogues in contemporary Germany.
The synagogue had a large dome with a cross-ribbed vault over the main prayer chamberm which was proceeded by a large entrance hall with offices and the chamber of marriage. The main chamber was topped with a lantern. Other characteristics elements included large decorated windows and small towers.
The main chamber could hold 1120 people; 670 males and 450 females.