Description of the attraction
The largest Sephardic synagogue in Europe, the Sofia Synagogue, is located at the intersection of Washington and Exarch Joseph Streets in the Bulgarian capital. This is one of the most beautiful architectural monuments in Bulgaria. The Sofia synagogue was erected on the site where the old synagogue "Ahab and Hased" was located. The construction was completed in 1909; Tsar Ferdinand and his wife Eleanor were present at the consecration ceremony.
The Sofia synagogue is distinguished by its original architecture. The central domed building with a narthex contains an octagonal prayer hall. Semicircular niches are located in four corners, between them are rectangular rooms, on top is a women's prayer room. There is a chandelier in the temple, which weighs about two tons, in Bulgaria it is the largest chandelier. The altar, surrounded by a railing, is located on a special podium in white marble. The hall can accommodate 1170 people. The synagogue is richly decorated with various architectural elements, stone and wood carvings, plastic ornaments. The synagogue floor is covered with Venetian mosaics.
The Sofia synagogue houses the residences of the chief rabbis - Bulgarian and Sofia. Religious services are regularly held here. The synagogue was closed only once - in 1943-1944. Then the main part of the Jewish community in Sofia was deported. In 1944, during the bombing of the Bulgarian capital, the synagogue was badly damaged - the balcony and several columns of the main hall were partially destroyed. At the same time, the famous Jewish library belonging to the community was destroyed.
In 1992, a Jewish history museum was opened at the synagogue, which belongs to the organization "Shalom", created by Bulgarian Jews. Museum workers are engaged in the search, study and preservation of documents, photographs, various items related to the historical and cultural Jewish heritage in Bulgaria. The museum has two permanent expositions, one of which is dedicated to the Bulgarian Jewish communities, the other to the Holocaust and the rescue of Bulgarian Jews.
