Dubrovnik Synagogue, Baroque synagogue in Old City, Croatia.
Dubrovnik Synagogue is a Baroque house of worship in the Old City featuring three arches that divide the wooden fenced Bimah. A women's gallery occupies the upper level, creating separate spaces for different parts of the community during services.
In 1408, Dubrovnik's Senate granted permission for Jewish settlement in the city, leading to the establishment of this religious center. The building reflects growing acceptance and the community's integration into this thriving medieval trading hub.
The synagogue houses Torah scrolls brought by Spanish exiles and displays a 13th-century Moorish carpet gifted to a Jewish physician by Spanish nobility. These objects tell the story of the community's deep connections to Mediterranean trade and cultural exchanges.
The building serves as an active place of prayer during High Holy Days and displays historical artifacts from the community at other times. Visitors should note that access may be limited during services, and comfortable shoes help when exploring the narrow Old City streets surrounding it.
The ceiling displays stucco reliefs painted sky blue with golden stars, while 19th-century Florentine chandeliers hang from above. This unusual combination of Eastern and Western artistic influences creates a detail many visitors overlook.
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