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Vidin Synagogue

Coordinates: 43°59′29″N 22°53′2″E / 43.99139°N 22.88389°E / 43.99139; 22.88389
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Vidin Synagogue
Bulgarian: Видинска синагога, romanized: Vidinska sinagoga
The reconstructed former synagogue in 2023, repurposed as the Jules Pascin Cultural Centre
Religion
AffiliationOrthodox Judaism (former)
RiteNusach Sefard
Ecclesiastical or organisational status
OwnershipMunicipality of Vidin
Year consecrated28 September 1894
Status
  • Inactive (as a synagogue);
  • Repurposed
Location
LocationBaba Vida Street, Vidin
CountryBulgaria
Vidin Synagogue is located in Bulgaria
Vidin Synagogue
Location of the ruins of the former synagogue in Bulgaria
Geographic coordinates43°59′29″N 22°53′2″E / 43.99139°N 22.88389°E / 43.99139; 22.88389
Architecture
Architect(s)V. Kitov
TypeSynagogue architecture
Style
Groundbreaking1890
Completed1894
Specifications
Direction of façadeNorth-east
Capacity1,000 worshipers
Length36.5 metres (120 ft)
Width22 m (72 ft)
Height (max)21 m (69 ft)
Dome(s)Four
Dome height (inner)11 m (36 ft)
Spire(s)Four
MaterialsBrick
Website
www.cc-pascin-vidin.eu
[1]

The Vidin Synagogue (Bulgarian: Видинска синагога, romanized: Vidinska sinagoga) is a former Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, whose ruins are located at Baba Vida Street, in Vidin, in northwest Bulgaria. Designed in the Romanesque Revival and Rundbogenstil styles, the former synagogue was completed in 1894.[1]

A national monument of culture in Vidin, the former Sephardic synagogue is situated in the Kaleto neighbourhood next to the Baba Vida castle and the banks of the Danube. It was the second-largest synagogue in Bulgaria after the Sofia Synagogue.[2]

The building was desecrated during World War II, was in ruins for approximately forty years, subsequently restored, and was repurposed as the Jules Pascin Cultural Centre, named in honour of painter Jules Pascin,[3] that opened in September 2023.

History

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Prior to construction of the current building, an old synagogue existed on the site, constructed with the support of Yakov Jacob Gattegno, a noble. The synagogue was destroyed in 1789 and rebuilt in 1839, with the support of Raphael Ashkenazi, and this building was again devastated by artillery fire during the Russo-Turkish War.[4]

The foundations of the new, current synagogue were laid in 1890 and its construction was funded by merchants from the local Jewish community. The synagogue was consecrated on 28 September 1894 by Chief Rabbi of Bulgaria, Dr. Mordechai Grunwald.[4] This building was used as a house of prayer, accommodating up to 1,000 worshipers, until World War II, where it was again desecrated. After the aliyah of the Vidin Jews in the 1950s, the former synagogue was left derelict and then was used for profane purposes.[3] An earthquake in 1976 further damaged the building and it lay in a ruinous state.[1]

The Bulgarian government initiated its reconstruction as a concert hall in 1983. However, the project was abandoned with the fall of the communist regime in 1989, leaving the synagogue without a roof.[5][6][7]

The former synagogue was added to the World Monuments Watch in 2004. In 2017, the Bulgarian Jewish community transferred ownership to the Municipality of Vidin and in May 2021, ground was broken for the synagogue's full reconstruction using EU and national funds.[5][8] On 4 September 2023, the former synagogue reopened as a museum and multi-purpose cultural centre dedicated to the Vidin-born Jewish painter Jules Pascin (1885–1930).[2] The opening ceremony was attended by Bulgarian president Rumen Radev.[9]

Architecture

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The synagogue was designed by V. Kitov in an eclectic style featuring a large façade arch and four corner towers, as inspired by the Dohány Street Synagogue in Budapest.[5] Its architecture combines Jugendstil, Romantic Revival, and Neoclassical influences.[1] The altar was built by Vidin-based Czech sculptor Max Werich. Lighting was delivered from Vienna and timber was sourced from Transylvania and Hungary. The synagogue measures 36.50 by 22 m (119.8 by 72.2 ft), with a maximum height of 21 m (69 ft).[6]

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  • An early postcard of the former synagogue, undated
    An early postcard of the former synagogue, undated
  • The abandoned former synagogue, in 2016
    The abandoned former synagogue, in 2016
  • Synagogue interior ruins, in 2016
    Synagogue interior ruins, in 2016
  • Synagogue ruins, in 2017
    Synagogue ruins, in 2017

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Synagogue in Vidin". Historic Synagogues of Europe. Foundation for Jewish Heritage and the Center for Jewish Art at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. n.d. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Vidin Synagogue". World Monuments Fund. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b "SIS Group участва в реставрацията на синагога на 129 години в град Видин" [SIS Group participated in the restoration of a 129-year-old synagogue in the city of Vidin] (in Bulgarian). SIS Group. n.d. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  4. ^ a b "History of the building". Cultural center Jules Pascin. Municipality of Vidin. 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Bulgaria: With gala ceremony, the restored Vidin synagogue, which long stood derelict, opens as the Jules Pascin cultural centre". Jewish Heritage Europe. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  6. ^ a b Сантова, Анина. "Вторият живот на Видинската синагога" [The second life of the Vidin Synagogue]. Капитал (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Vidin Synagogue". www.jewishbalkans.eu. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Започна реставрацията на видинската Синагога" [The restoration of the Vidin Synagogue has begun]. Radio Vidin (in Bulgarian). 15 July 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  9. ^ "Vidin Synagogue Opening Ceremony after Complete Restoration". IHRA. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
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