Tykocin Synagogue

Tykocin Synagogue
The former synagogue, now museum, in 2019
Religion
Affiliation	Judaism (former)
Rite	Nusach Ashkenaz
Ecclesiastical or organisational status	Synagogue (1642–1939) Profane use (1939–1960s) Jewish museum (since late 1970s)
Status	Abandoned (as a synagogue); Repurposed
Location
Location	2 Kozia Street, Tykocin, Podlaskie Voivodeship
Country	Poland
Location of the former synagogue, now museum, in Podlaskie Voivodeship
Geographic coordinates	53°12′24″N 22°46′02″E
Architecture
Type	Synagogue architecture
Style	Baroque Mannerist
Completed	1642
Materials	Brick
[1]

The Tykocin Synagogue is an historic former Jewish synagogue building, located in Tykocin, Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland.[2] The synagogue was completed in 1643, in the Mannerist-early Baroque style.[3]

Disused as a synagogue during World War II, the building was used for profane purposes, restored during the 1970s, and repurposed as a Jewish museum.[1]

History

During the Nazi occupation of Poland in 1941, the synagogue was desecrated and then set up as a warehouse. After the end of the war, it remained in use as a warehouse for fertilizers. In 1965, a fire damaged the interiors.

The synagogue was thoroughly restored in the late 1970s. The historic wall paintings, most of which are decorative texts of Hebrew prayers, were restored. The elaborate, decorative ceiling was not reconstructed although some idea of the style can be gleaned from the design of the Torah Ark.[2]

A former Beit Medrash (study and prayer hall) located across the street has been restored and is in use as a city museum.[2]

Although no Jews now live in Tykocin,^[citation needed] 40,000 tourists a year come to see the old synagogue, which remains "in lonely and unexpected splendor".[4] The tourism has generated economic activity, including a cafe serving "Jewish-style" food and a bed-and-breakfast.[4]

Gallery

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  Bimah
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  Ceiling
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  Tallit
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  Tallit and Hanukiah
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  Torah ark
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  Torah ark closeup
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See also

• History of the Jews in Poland
• List of mannerist structures in Northern Poland

References

1. "Great Synagogue in Tykocin". Historical synagogues in Europe. Foundation for Jewish Heritage and the Center for Jewish Art at Hebrew University of Jerusalem. n.d. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
2. Gruber, Samuel; Myers, Phyllis (November 1995). "Survey of Historic Jewish Monuments in Poland,". Report to the Presidents Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad. Jewish Heritage Council World Monuments Fund. pp. 44–5.
3. Dariusz Stankiewicz. "Tykocin-synagoga" (in Polish). bialystok.jewish.org.pl. Retrieved December 28, 2009.
4. Gruber, Ruth Ellen (2002). Virtually Jewish: Reinventing Jewish Culture in Europe. University of California Press. p. 165. ISBN 978-0520213630.

External links

• Tykocin Synagogue photos
• Great Synagogue of Tykocin in the Bezalel Narkiss Index of Jewish Art