Lübeck synagogue

Lübeck's synagogue is a red brick religious building set back from St. Annen Street, combining Moorish Revival style with mosque-like architectural details. The structure stands as a representative example of 19th-century Jewish institutions built with distinctive stylistic expression.

Built in 1880, the synagogue served as the center of Jewish community life until November 1938, when persecution dissolved the congregation during the Nazi period. The construction date coincided with changes in residential laws that had allowed Jewish families to settle in the city.

The building reflects Jewish life in Lübeck through its Moorish Revival style, showing how the community expressed its identity through distinctive architectural choices. This design language spoke to the congregation's position in the city during a period of relative acceptance.

The building sits within Lübeck's UNESCO World Heritage Old City, reachable on foot from other medieval structures in the area. The compact layout of this district allows visitors to explore several historical sites in a single outing.

The building survived World War II because it sat next to a museum that German forces chose to spare from damage. This proximity to an institution the authorities valued proved crucial to its preservation through the conflict.