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Sofia Synagogue


Sofia Synagogue is located in the city center and impresses with its beauty and architectural style. The building is over 100 years old and is currently the largest Sephardic synagogue in Europe. On the second floor there is a small museum where visitors can learn about the history of the Jews in Bulgaria.

Sofia Synagogue is the third largest in Europe after these in Budapest and Amsterdam. The project to build it belongs to the Austrian architect Gruenander. The building was built in Spanish-Moorish style and resembles the synagogue destroyed by the Nazis in Vienna. The story of the creation of the synagogue begins in 1905 when the construction was officially launched. The Jewish Temple was opened in 1909 in the presence of King Ferdinand and Queen Eleanor. It is the only Jewish house of prayer in Sofia. Sofia Synagogue is one of the most beautiful architectural monuments in Bulgaria. It was built in place of the old synagogue "Ahab and hased '(ivr."love and kindness").

The architecture of Sofia Synagogue is remarkable. The temple consists of a central domed building and a porch. The prayer room has an octagonal shape. In the four corners there are semicircular niches with rectangular spaces between them, over them isl ocated the prayer room for women. The main chandelier weighs two tons and is the largest in Bulgaria. It and the ritual candlestick ("menorah") were purchased in Vienna for the opening of the synagogue. On a platform of white marble stands an altar, surrounded by a beautiful railing.

The hall has a capacity of 1170 seats. The interior is decorated with items of applied art. The facades are decorated with rich architectural elements, plastic ornaments and stone carving. The floor of the synagogue is covered with Venetian mosaic.

In Sofia Synagogue is located the headquarters of the Chief Rabbi of Bulgaria and the Chief Rabbi of Sofia. Central Synagogue regularly conducts religious services. It was closed only during the period 1943-1944, when most Jews were deported from Sofia in the province. During the bombing of Sofia in 1944 the synagogue was destroyed partially. Affected are a few columns and balcony in the main hall. The famous library of the Jewish community was also destroyed.

At the Sofia Synagogue since 1992 operates historical Jewish Museum of the Organization of Bulgarian Jews "Shalom." The museum is a continuation of the earlier exhibition "The rescue of Bulgarian Jews, 1941-1944". The aim of the museum is to search, study and preserve objects, images and documents relating to Jewish cultural and historical heritage in the country. There are two permanent exhibitions - "Jewish Communities in Bulgaria" and "The Holocaust and the rescue of Jews in Bulgaria". They show the Jewish religion, customs and culture, and history of the community from its settlement in these lands to the creation of Israel. Emphasis in the museum is the saving of the Bulgarian Jews during World War II.

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