Synagogue Zholkva

The synagogue in Zhovkva - the largest monument of architecture, history and culture in the city. This original religious building, the entrance in the city`s fortifications. The synagogue was built in the late 17th century.

History Zholkovsky synagogue

In the 17-18 centuries in Zhovkva lived the largest in western Ukraine Jewish community. The first temple was built in 1625, the building was made of wood and burned down a few years later. Resolution on the creation of the stone church was obtained Zholkva Jewish community only in 1692, the same year started its construction. He supervised the construction site architect Peter Royal Beberi. The building turned out so majestic and massive that the Catholic clergy of the city forbade him whiten to the beauty of the newly-established synagogues eclipsed local churches.

The first reconstruction was made in the 18th century, then added two to the temple of the western part. In 1908, the changes undergone shrine interior, were the remains of polychrome in the church lost forever. In 1935 the building was again renovated unprofessional.

1941 was truly a black page in the history of the synagogue - it was blown up by the German invaders, resulting in lost unique interiors and floor of the temple. Partial restoration was carried out in the 50s of the 20th century. In Soviet times, the synagogue and all used as a warehouse.

The synagogue today

In 1994, a group of scientists and architects conducted a study of the remains of a synagogue in Zhovkva, as a result of which the building was included in the list of "100 monuments of the world, which are in a catastrophic state."

In 2000, the Fund has allocated funds and began the restoration of the object, but the building is still under threat of extinction. In the long term there is a possibility of opening on the basis of the largest synagogue in Galicia Jewish center.

What to see in

Of particular note is the structure of the architecture. Made in the Renaissance style with Baroque elements. Thanks to the thick walls and the ability to install on the roof of the synagogue is the artillery defense construction.

It was built of stone and brick rectangular form, oriented to the east. Decorated with luxurious stucco in the Baroque style. The interior is preserved fragments of wall paintings and inscriptions from the Torah, which adorned the walls.

Interesting Facts

• The synagogue in Zhovkva is recognized as one of the largest synagogues in Europe.
• In 2012, the National Bank of Ukraine "Architectural monuments of Ukraine" series of coin was issued in denominations of 5 and 10 hryvnia, which Zholkovsky synagogue was displayed.
• Zholkovsky temple is known far beyond the borders of Ukraine in Tel Aviv synagogue built by Zholkovsky type.

How to get to the synagogue

Zhovkva - a city of regional significance in the Lviv region, just 30 km north of the regional center. Get here the tourist can both on a personal as well as public transport. With the nearest district center Zholkva connected bus and train connections.

The synagogue is located in the central part of the city, on the street Konovalets. A reference point for the tourist will be Dominican Church and Basilian monastery .