Great Synagogue (Constanța)

The Great Synagogue of Constanța

The Great Synagogue of Constanța is a disused former Jewish synagogue in the city of Constanța, Romania.

History

The synagogue was built between 1910 and 1914 on the site of an earlier synagogue erected circa 1867/1872. The first steps were initiated in 1907, but the original building application submitted in 1908 was denied due to concerns about the strength of the proposed dome and galleries. Architect Anghel Păunescu thus replaced the proposed dome with a semi-cylindrical vault intended to express the same "seduction of the curved space".^[1][2]

In the interwar period, there had been two main synagogues in Constanța: the Ashkenazi synagogue, built between 1905 and 1908 in a Catalan Gothic architectural style,^[2] and the Sephardic synagogue, built in a Moorish Revival architectural style.^[3] The Ashkenazi synagogue was heavily damaged during the Second World War when it was used as an ammunition warehouse, later further damaged by an earthquake, and was demolished in 1989 during the regime of Nicolae Ceaușescu.^[2][4]

Condition

As the Jewish population in Constanța declined, the synagogue fell into disuse. Photographs show the synagogue was still in use - and in good repair - as recently as 1996, but once abandoned, the building had been "ransacked of anything not nailed down".^[2] The structure of the building is still standing, but is in an advanced state of degradation and is in danger of collapsing.^[2]

Only three of the four walls are intact, and the roof has partially collapsed.^[2] A tree grows in the middle of the sanctuary^[5] and most of the stained glass windows have been smashed.^[2]

Journalists Florin Anghel and Cristian Andrei Leonte blamed local officials and popular opinion for allowing the building to "crumble to the point of collapse",^[5] noting that synagogues in other cities were "splendidly renovated and converted into cultural centres or exhibition halls." Aurel Vainer, president of the Federation of the Jewish Communities in Romania, blamed lack of interest for the deterioration of the synagogue.^[6]

In November 2014, a team of architects from Bucharest were hired to inspect the building, assess the necessary repairs and estimate costs.^[7]

Architecture

The synagogue has three levels. The exterior doors and windows display a Moorish influence. Inside, the worship area is divided into three naves with traditional Jewish decorations.^[8]

See also

• History of the Jews in Romania
• List of synagogues in Romania

References

1. [Păuleanu, Doina. Constanţa. Aventura unui proiect european. Constanţa: Editura Ex Ponto, 2003.]
2. Teodorescu, Nicoleta Doina; Lucescu, Corina (2012). "The Architectural Heritage of the Jews in Constanța" (PDF). Retrieved 4 March 2015.
3. Buletin de știri ISRO-Press, Anul lV, nr. 296/2 noiembrie 2003 - Ultimii evrei din Constanța
4. Mihalcea, Alexandru; Moise, Marian (14 October 2006). "De la Marx la Ceausescu, ipostaze ale lui Anticrist". RomaniaLibera.ro (in Romanian). România Liberă. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
5. "Fate of ruined synagogue in Constanța, Romania, in balance".
6. "Sinagoge din Constanța: Poveste despre întunericul urii şi al indiferenței" (in Romanian). Archived from the original on January 2, 2014.
7. "Primul pas pentru reabilitarea Sinagogii Mari din Constanța. O echipă de arhitecți a evaluat starea clădirii" (in Romanian).
8. CIMEC - Sinagoga Mare din Constanța

External links

• Sinagoga Mare din Constanța pe situl Biserici.org

Coordinates: 44°10′28.2″N 28°39′24″E / 44.174500°N 28.65667°E