The Dawna Synagogue,
Zamosc, Poland
The first synagogue in Zamosc was built
in the 1590's as a wooden structure. The building of a brick
structure in accordance with the privileges granted to the
local Jewish community was undertaken after 1610 and
continued for eight years. The Dawna (“Old”) synagogue is a
prominent example of late Renaissance Polish style in
harmony with the general urban design of the old town of
Zamosc. The exterior walls have been extended to conceal the
roof giving the building a general aspect of a fortress. The
prayer hall (11,6 x 12,2 m.) represents the core of the
building; the women's prayer rooms were added towards the
middle of the 17th century. Similar to that found in other
Polish synagogues, the floor was lowered in order to
increase the height of the interior. The walls were
decorated with rich paintings in vermilion stuccoes with
floral motives including a stylized tree of life, crowns,
rosettes, and Hebrew inscriptions. During the 18th century,
a modest entrance hall was added on the west side of the
prayer hall, while the attic was disregarded. The synagogue
was renovated in the second half of the 19th century when
the building received a new roof and an attic. At the same
time a second floor was built over the original women's
prayer rooms.
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Menorah in
the Dawna synagogue,
Zamosc,
c. 1929
Photo: S.
Zajczyk
Beth Hatefutsoth - Visual
Documentation Center
Bequest of Leah Sandel, Israel
|
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Exterior
of
the Dawna synagogue,
Zamosc,
c. 1929
Photo: S.
Zajczyk
Beth Hatefutsoth - Visual
Documentation Center
Bequest of Leah Sandel, Israel
|
During the Holocaust the building
suffered major damage, especially of the northern parts that
were destroyed by the Germans. The synagogue was vandalized
and looted, and then used as a stable. It was rebuilt,
following WW2, in 1948-1950 and since 1958 the building has
served as a library. A second restoration of the building
was conducted during 1967-1972. Some traces of the
synagogue’s former splendor can be discerned inside the
building. The place of the Aron Ha-Kodesh is evident on the
eastern wall. The niche that sheltered the Torah scrolls is
decorated with motives of vessels - symbol of Levites, and
crown of Torah. The octagonal iron bimah with a Torah crown
was located at the center of the prayer hall and was a gift
by Shmuel Barzel, 1787. The prayer hall also boasted a
number of majestic menorahs. Today nothing remains
either of the bimah or of the candelabra.
Next to the building of the synagogue is
the former office of the community, dating from the 18th
century with additions from the 19th century, and the heder.
The 18th century building of the former Mikveh, renovated in
the 19th century, is located in the cellars at Ul. Zamenhofa
3.
Address:
Dawna Synagoga
Ul. Zamenhofa 11
Zamosc
Poland
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