Description of the attraction
The imposing building of the former synagogue is located on Karl-Renner Promenade, an alley formed after the demolition of the ancient city walls. Built in 1912-1913 by architects Theodor Schreiner and Viktor Postelberg, the synagogue is a Secession-style building. It was the main synagogue of the Jewish community of St. Pölten until November 1938, when it was destroyed by the Nazis during Kristallnacht after Austria's Anschluss. The building was restored only in 1980-1984. It is currently occupied by the Institute for Jewish History in Austria. Next to the synagogue there is a monument to the Jews who were destroyed in 1938-1945. Most of the victims of the German invaders are listed by name.
The first prayer rooms, founded by the Jewish community of St. Pölten, were opened in 1863 in the rooms of a former manufactory. At the end of the 19th century, this building was completely rebuilt and turned into the first synagogue in the city. In 1903, the city authorities planned to reconstruct the street where the former manufacture was located. The repair of the city artery involved the demolition of the synagogue. The Jews were promised to build a new building to replace the lost one. In 1907, all the building materials for the construction of the synagogue were purchased and a suitable plot of land was found. The architects of the future building were selected through a creative competition. The new synagogue accommodated 220 men and 150 women, for whom a separate prayer space was created. The interior decoration works were carried out by the artist Ferdinand Andri.
