Soldier Synagogue, Art Nouveau synagogue in Rostov-on-Don, Russia.
Soldier Synagogue is an Art Nouveau house of worship on Turgenevskaya Street in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. The facade is decorated with stylized Gothic arches and stucco rosettes that are typical of the architectural style popular at the turn of the 20th century.
The synagogue was founded in 1872 by Jewish veterans who had settled in Rostov-on-Don after their military service. It was badly damaged during the 1905 pogrom and then largely rebuilt between 1913 and 1914.
The name of the synagogue comes from the retired Jewish soldiers who founded it after settling in Rostov-on-Don following their military service. The building remains the only active Jewish house of worship in the city, drawing people who come to practice their faith and stay connected to the community's roots.
The building is worth visiting both for its exterior facade and for the active religious life inside, so it helps to go at a time when the community is present. It is a good idea to check in advance whether there are any requirements or restrictions for visitors.
A three-story wing added in 1881 housed a school for children of soldiers in need, funded by donations from local merchants. This means the building served as a community center long before that term existed.
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