New Synagogue, Žilina, Arts centre and cultural landmark in Žilina, Slovakia.
The New Synagogue in Žilina is a cultural center housed in a striking Modernist building with a large domed roof at its center. The main hall feels spacious and bright, with an unusual entrance that descends below street level.
The building was completed in 1931 from designs by German architect Peter Behrens for the Jewish congregation. It underwent extensive restoration from 2012 to 2017 and reopened as a public cultural venue.
The building once served the Jewish community for worship and is now a meeting place for different cultural events and performances. Visitors see art exhibitions, theater shows, and concerts that bring the space to life.
Access to the building is via stairs that descend below street level, which may feel unusual on arrival. Plan visits around event schedules, as the space hosts exhibitions and performances throughout the year.
The building was originally designed to hold about 800 worshippers, showing the size of the Jewish community at that time. The architecture merges religious elements with modern design in an uncommon way.
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