Włodawa Synagogue#Włodawa Great Synagogue

Włodawa Synagogue is a baroque structure featuring a distinctive three-tiered copper roof and spacious interior with high ceilings built between 1764 and 1774. The sanctuary showcases detailed wall paintings that blend Jewish and Polish design elements, while the Torah Ark displays carved musical instruments and symbolic references to the Temple of Solomon.

The building replaced an earlier wooden synagogue dating from 1684, showing the long religious significance of this location. Its construction by architect Paolo Fontana in the late 1700s reflects the economic prosperity and important role of the Jewish community in Włodawa.

The place reflects the history of the Jewish community that shaped local religious and social life for centuries. The interior decorations blend Hebrew symbols with local artistic traditions, showing how this community's presence influenced the broader cultural landscape of the town.

The building now functions as part of a museum complex alongside the Small Synagogue and the former Jewish administrative building, together documenting the community's history. Visitors can explore all three structures to understand how the religious and administrative life of the community was organized.

The structure survived World War II intact while many other Jewish sites in the region were destroyed, preserving its original architectural features and interior elements. Its flanking side wings resemble the style of Polish noble residences, showing how the synagogue fit into the local architectural landscape.

Location: Włodawa

Inception: 1764

Architects: Paolo Fontana

Architectural style: baroque architecture

GPS coordinates: 51.54467,23.55322

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:03