Great Synagogue (Piotrków Trybunalski)

Great Synagogue of Piotrków Trybunalski
Newly restored synagogue
Religion
Affiliation	Orthodox Judaism
Status	Library
Location
Location	Piotrków Trybunalski, Poland
Geographic coordinates	51°24′34″N 19°42′06″E / 51.409566°N 19.701608°E / 51.409566; 19.701608Coordinates: 51°24′34″N 19°42′06″E / 51.409566°N 19.701608°E / 51.409566; 19.701608
Architecture
Architect(s)	David Friedlander
Groundbreaking	1791
Completed	1793

The Great Synagogue in Piotrków Trybunalski, (Polish: Wielka Synagoga w Piotrkowie Trybunalskim), was built between 1791-1793 and designed by David Friedlander. The synagogue was devastated by Nazis during World War II. After the war, the building was renovated and it now serves as a library.

Although plundered during World War II, it is the best preserved synagogue in the Łódź region and one of the best preserved in Poland.

Background[]

Kazimierz Stronczynski who in 1844-55 led the first official inventory of important buildings in Poland, titled A General View of the Nature of Ancient Monuments in the Kingdom of Poland, describes the Great Synagogue of Piotrków as one of Poland's architecturally notable buildings.^[1][2]

World War II[]

On the front wall there is a commemorative plaque in Polish, Hebrew, Yiddish, and English, which reads:

"This building, once 'The Great Synagogue,' and this plaque, sanctify the memory of Piotrkow Jews murdered by the Nazis during 1939 - 1945.
Remembrance and restoration project in memory of the Holocaust martyrs and the departed of our Jewish community and in memory of the Great Tzadik Rabbi Dr. Hayim David Bernard."

Renovation[]

In 2012 the synagogue was restored. The façade was repainted according to its original appearance before World War II.

References[]