Old Synagogue, Museum and cultural center in Essen, Germany.
The Old Synagogue stands as a preserved Art Nouveau building with a distinctive 37-meter copper dome, limestone facade, and stained glass windows depicting Jewish festivals throughout its spacious interior halls.
Built between 1911 and 1913 by architect Edmund Körner, the synagogue served over 1,500 worshippers until it was damaged during Kristallnacht in 1938, though its concrete structure survived the arson attack.
Originally functioning as the religious and social center for Essen's Jewish community of 4,500 members, the building now operates as a House of Jewish Culture with exhibitions on Jewish traditions and heritage.
Located at Steeler Straße 29 in Essen's city center near the Town Hall, the building offers limited wheelchair accessibility and hosts cultural events, educational programs, and guided tours for visitors.
The synagogue houses the Salomon Ludwig Steinheim Institute for German-Jewish Studies and features original Byzantine Revival elements alongside modern exhibition spaces dedicated to intercultural dialogue and remembrance.
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