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{{Short description|Synagogue of the Jewish Community of Danzig}}

[[Image:GreatSynagogueDanzig.jpg|thumb|240px|Gdańsk Great Synagogue]]

{{for|similarly named synagogues|Great Synagogue (disambiguation){{!}}Great Synagogue}}

'''Great Synagogue''' ({{lang-pl|Wielka Synagoga}}), was a [[synagogue]] in the city of [[Danzig]], [[Germany]] (later, [[Free City of Danzig]], now [[Gdańsk]], [[Poland]]). It was built in [[1885]]-[[1887]] on Reitbahnstrasse (today Bogusławskiego Street). It was the largest synagogue in the city. The synagogue was dismantled by the authorities in April [[1939]].

{{Infobox religious building

| building_name = Great Synagogue in Danzig

| native_name = {{ubl|{{langx|de|Neue Synagoge}}|{{langx|pl|Wielka Synagoga}}}}

| image = GreatSynagogueDanzig.jpg

| image_upright = 1.4

| caption = The former Great Synagogue in Danzig (Gdańsk)

| ___location = [[Danzig]]

| country = {{ubl|{{nowrap|[[German Empire]] {{small|(1885–1918)}}}}|[[Weimar Republic]] {{small|(1918–1920)}}|{{nowrap|[[Free City of Danzig]] {{small|(1920–1939)}}}}}}

| religious_affiliation = [[Reform Judaism]] {{small|(former)}}

| status = [[Synagogue]] {{small|(1887–1939)}}

| functional_status = '''Demolished'''

| architect = {{ubl|[[Wilhelm Böckmann]]|[[Hermann Ende]]}}

| architecture_style = [[Neo-Renaissance]]

| year_completed = 1887

| capacity = 2,000 worshipers

| date_demolished = May 1939

| coordinates = {{coord|54|20|53.10|N|18|38|51.21|E|type:landmark_region:PL-PM_source:dewiki|display=it}}

| map_type = Poland

| map_size = 250

| map_alt =

| map_relief = 1

| map_caption = Location of the former synagogue<br/>in modern [[Poland]]

| dome_quantity = One

| spire_quantity = Two

}}

The '''Great Synagogue''' ({{lang-langx|de|Neue Synagoge}}, {{langx|pl|Wielka Synagoga}}), was a [[synagogue]] of the [[Jewish Community of Danzig]] in the city of [[Gdańsk|Danzig]], in what was then the [[GermanyGerman Empire]], (later, the [[Free City of Danzig]], and is now [[Gdańsk]], [[Poland]]). It was built in [[1885]]-[[1887]]1885–1887 on ReitbahnstrasseReitbahnstraße, (todaynow BogusławskiegoBogusławski Street). It was the largest synagogue in the city., The synagogueand was dismantleddemolished by the Free City authorities in AprilMay [[1939]].

==Design==

The synagogue was built in the [[neorenaissanceNeo-Renaissance]] style on the basis of a long [[rectangle]]. It was one of the most distinctive buildings in Danzig, with its large [[dome]], two [[tower]]s and a [[lantern]] seen at night. In the middle of a front row there was a large [[stained glass]] window with the [[David'sStar of starDavid]]., and Allall [[spire]]s were also toppdtopped with [[mesh]]ed David'sStars starsof David.

The spacious interior of the synagogue was topped with a [[sail vault]], from which enormous [[chandelier]]s were hung; over 2000 people could participate in the [[mass]]es. The main chamber was located directly undernethunderneath the large dome. In the astern wall, in an [[apse]] theThe [[Aron Kodesh]] [[Ark (synagogue)|ark]] was located]], on a [[pedestal]] behind a ''[[parokhet]]'' curtain in an [[apse]]. Above the arcark, the tables of the [[Ten Commandments|Decalog]] were supported by two stone lions. Behind it, were large [[organ (music)|organs]] together withand the a [[choir]] of 100 members were located. Behind the pedestal,The [[Bema#Judaism|bimah]] was placed. Duringbehind the sidewalls and over the western entrance there were massive, [[arcade (architecture)|arcade]] [[gallery (architecture)|galleries]] for over 300 women, supported by multisided [[pillar]]s. In the main chamber there were two rows of benches for over 1600 people. The walls were decorated with motifs of plants, geometric symbols or [[Biblical]] verses. The entire synagogue had electric heating and lightning, which was still relativly uncommon in that era (late 19th century)pedestal.

Over 2000 people could participate in the services. In the main chamber there were two rows of benches for over 1600 people. Along the sidewalls and over the western entrance there were massive [[arcade (architecture)|arcade]] [[balcony|galleries]] for over 300 women, supported by multi-sided [[Column|pillar]]s. The walls were decorated with motifs of plants, geometric symbols and [[Biblical]] verses. The entire synagogue had electric heating and lighting, relatively uncommon in the late 19th century.

== History ==

[[File:Danzig NARA-68155015.jpg|thumb|Aerial photo taken about 1920, showing the Great Synagogue from the rear]]

[[Image:DanzigSynagoge01.jpg|thumb|240px|Interior of the synagogue]]

The synagogue was financed by the five reform communities: Altschottland (modern Stary Szkoty), Weinberg (modern Winnicka), [[Langfuhr]] (modern Wrzeszcz), Danzig-Breitgasse (modern Szeroka) and Danzig-Mattenbuden (modern Szopy). It was built by a company from [[Berlin]], [[Hermann Ende|Ende]] & [[Wilhelm Böckmann|Böckmann]], chosen by the [[city council]].

[[Image:SynagogeDanzig04.jpg|thumb|240px|"Come, lovely May, and free us from the Jews"]]

The synagogue was financed by the five reformed [[kehilla]]s: Winnicy, Wrzeszcza, Szopy, Starych Szkotów and ul. Szerokiej. It was built by a company from [[Berlin]], [[Ende and Boeckman]], as chosen by the [[city council]] of Danzig.

It was opened duringwith a ceremony on 15 September 1887, by the Danzig [[rabinrabbi]] Kossman Werner, in the precencepresence of the city council and the faithful. Then theThe [[scrollsscroll]]s of [[ToraTorah]] were transported in from the [[Old Synagogue (GdańskDanzig)|Old Synagogue]] and two other synagogues (the Great Synagogue was seen as a building uniting the Danzig Jews), placed in the Aron KodesKodesh and the [[eternalSanctuary lightlamp|Eternal Light]] was lit. The first massservice was held on the 8 December 1887.

InAt the beginingbeginning of the 20th century the synagogue became onone theof the most notable placescentres of [[judaismReform Judaism]] faith. A large museum of judaismJudaism was openened in it, withcontained many rare and old items, particularyparticularly the collection of [[Lesser Giełdziński]]. Many concerts were held in the buildinghere, and rabinsrabbis and professors from all around the world visited the synagogue to givegave [[lecture]]s.

It was opened during a ceremony on 15 September 1887, by the Danzig [[rabin]] Kossman Werner, in the precence of the city council and the faithful. Then the [[scrolls]] of [[Tora]] were transported in from the [[Old Synagogue (Gdańsk)|Old Synagogue]] and two other synagogues (the Great Synagogue was seen as a building uniting the Danzig Jews), placed in the Aron Kodes and the [[eternal light]] was lit. The first mass was held on the 8 December 1887.

However in theThe 1920s, withsaw the raisingrising [[anti-semitismantisemitism]] and the increasing powersstrength of the [[NationalNazi SocialistsParty]] in Germany,. Danzig, was closely tied with theto Germany, (from which it was officially separated by the [[Treaty of Versailles]], butand deit factobecame stillan retainedincreasingly closeunpleasant tiesplace withfor it)Jews, startedparticularly toafter becomeMarch an1933, increasinglywhen unpleasantthe placelocal forNazi party won control of the Jewscity government. The synagogue thereafter was a target of two attempts of destruction ([[arson]]), butattempts. bothBoth were stopped, asby a local [[militia]] formed by the local Jewish population createdto aprotect the building in concert with the [[militiaFree City of Danzig Police|Danzig police]], who feared that protectedany itnegligence of the attacks on Jews would lead to a [[Second Polish Republic|Polish]] intervention.<ref>{{Citation The|last1=Grass |first1=Günter |last2=Mann |first2=Vivian B. |last3=Gutmann |first3=Joseph |title=Danzig 1939: Treasures of a Destroyed Community |place=New York |publisher=Wayne State University Press |orig-year=1980 |year=1980 |edition=illustrated |page=33 |language=en |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vvIECPYRssIC |isbn=9780814316627 |via=[[Google Books]] }}</ref> While the [[Constitution of the Free City of Danzig]] offered the Danzig Jews moregreater protection thatthan their brethen hadbrethren in Germany, but in August 1938 the Nazi sympathizers invaded the synagogue, tramplingin August 1938 and trampled the Torah scrolls of Tora. The communities' leaders of the kehillas decided to safeguard some of their relics: – the archives were shipped to [[Jerusalem]], the library to [[WilnoVilnius]], and the museum to the [[United States]]. At the same timestime, the mounting fiscal pressure forced the synagogue to sell the organs were to [[Kraków]], [[candelstickscandlestick]]s to Warsaw, and the benches to [[Nowy Port]]. However, even thatThis was not enough., Inand in early 1939 the synagogue was sold to the [[senate]] of Danzig. InOn 15 April 1939, the last massservice was held in it;the building, and soon thereafter the senate took conrol of itcontrol. OnA the fence thatbanner was builthung around iton a bannerfence wassurrounding the putbuilding with the text: "Come, lovely May, and free us from the Jews". On the 2 May, the [[Nazi]]-dominated government started tobegan demolishdemolishing the building.

In the begining of the 20th century the synagogue became on the the most notable places of [[judaism]] faith. A large museum of judaism was openened in it, with many rare and old items, particulary the collection of [[Lesser Giełdziński]]. Many concerts were held in the building, and rabins and professors from all around the world visited the synagogue to give [[lecture]]s.

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:SynagogeDanzig04.jpg|thumb|240px|"Come, lovely May, and free us from the Jews"]] -->

After the [[German invasion of Poland]] on 1 September 1939, Nazi troops moved into the city, [[Defense of the Polish Post Office in Danzig|eradicating any resistance]] and claiming the city for Germany. During the [[World War II|Second World War]] most of the Jews of Danzig were murdered in [[the Holocaust]]. Survivors mostly left Europe to settle in [[Israel]].

However in the 1920s, with the raising [[anti-semitism]] and the increasing powers of [[National Socialists]] in Germany, Danzig, closely tied with the Germany (from which it was officially separated by the [[Treaty of Versailles]], but de facto still retained close ties with it), started to become an increasingly unpleasant place for the Jews. The synagogue was a target of two attempts of destruction ([[arson]]), but both were stopped, as the local Jewish population created a [[militia]] that protected it. The [[Constitution of the Free City of Danzig]] offered the Danzig Jews more protection that their brethen had in Germany, but in August 1938 the Nazi sympathizers invaded the synagogue, trampling the scrolls of Tora. The leaders of the kehillas decided to safeguard some of their relics: the archives were shipped to [[Jerusalem]], library to [[Wilno]] and museum to [[United States]]. At the same times, the mounting fiscal pressure forced the synagogue to sell the organs were to [[Kraków]], [[candelsticks]] to Warsaw and the benches to [[Nowy Port]]. However, even that was not enough. In early 1939 the synagogue was sold to the [[senate]] of Danzig. In 15 April 1939 the last mass was held in it; soon the senate took conrol of it. On the fence that was built around it a banner was put with the text: "Come, lovely May, and free us from the Jews". On the 2 May the [[Nazi]] government started to demolish the building.

There are no realistic plans to rebuild the synagogue. Much of the site of the synagogue is vacant; part of the land is held by the new Gdańsk community, and part belongs to the [[Urząd Ochrony Państwa]] (Office for State Protection). On the rest, however, a theatre has been built. The [[Gdańsk Shakespeare Theatre]] opened in September 2014.<ref name=Mrozek>{{cite news |title=Szekspir wraca do Gdańska |last=Mrozek | first=Witold |url=http://wyborcza.pl/1,75475,16661653,Szekspir_wraca_do_Gdanska__MROZEK_.html |newspaper=[[Gazeta Wyborcza]] |date=18 September 2014 |access-date=25 September 2014 |language=pl}}</ref>

After the [[German invasion of Poland]], on 1 September 1939, Nazi troops moved into the city, [[Defense of the Polish Post Office in Danzig|eradicting any resistance]] and claiming the city for the Germany. During the [[Second World War]] many of the Jews of Gdańsk died in the [[Holocaust]]; although after the war the city of Danzig was transfered to Poland and became Gdańsk, many of the survivors left Europe to settle in [[Israel]]. Today the place where the synagogue once stood stands empty. Part of the land is held by the new Gdańsk kehilla, part belongs to the [[Urząd Ochrony Państwa]] (''Office for State Protection'') and on the rest, a [[theatre]] is planned. There are no realistic plans to rebuild the synagogue.

== See also ==

{{stack|{{portal|Judaism|Poland}}}}

* [[History of the Jews in Poland]]

* [[List of active synagogues in Poland]]

==References==

{{reflist}}

*{{Polish|Wielka Synagoga w Gdańsku|21 December 2006}}

*{{pl icon}} [http://gdansk.jewish.org.pl/index.php?lg=pl&kat=2&dzial=23&typ=1 Żydzi na Pomorzu] (Jews in Pomerania)

==External links==

{{commons category|Category:Great Synagogue, in Gdańsk}}

*{{plin iconlang|pl}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20060618212406/http://sabaoth.infoserve.pl/danzig-online/bud/synagoga.html Wielka Synagoga] -, history and photoesphotos

*{{plin iconlang|pl}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20070929092854/http://gdansk.jewish.org.pl/index.php?lg=pl&kat=2&dzial=23&typ=1 Żydzi na Pomorzu] (Jews in Pomerania)

*[http://www.jewishgen.org/Danzig/gallery.php?g=syn Great Synagogue], recent{{when|date=January 2024}} pictures of the remains

{{Gdańsk}}

[[Category:Synagogues in Poland]]

{{Synagogues in Germany}}

[[Category:Gdańsk]]

[[Category:Former places of worship{{Synagogues in Poland]]}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Great Synagogue, Danzig}}

[[pl:Wielka Synagoga w Gdańsku]]

[[Category:1939 disestablishments in Poland]]

[[Category:19th-century synagogues in Poland]]

[[Category:Buildings and structures demolished in 1939]]

[[Category:Danzig in World War II]]

[[Category:Former Reform synagogues in Poland]]

[[Category:Former Reform synagogues in Germany]]

[[Category:Jews and Judaism in Gdańsk]]

[[Category:Renaissance Revival architecture in Germany]]

[[Category:Renaissance Revival architecture in Poland]]

[[Category:Renaissance Revival synagogues]]

[[Category:Synagogue buildings with domes]]

[[Category:Synagogues completed in Poland1887]]

[[Category:Synagogues in Poland destroyed by Nazi Germany]]

[[Category:Religious buildings and structures in Gdańsk]]