Old Synagogue (Essen)
The Old Synagogue (German: Alte Synagoge) in Essen is one of the largest, best preserved and architecturally most impressive testimonies to Jewish culture in pre-war Germany. Built in the centre of the city, the Byzantine style former Synagogue was originally consecrated as the Neue Synagoge in 1913; it now houses an institution dedicated to documenting and promoting the history of the city's former Jewish community.
| Alte Synagoge | |
|---|---|
Alte Synagoge, Essen, seen from Edmund-Körner-Platz | |
| Religion | |
| Year consecrated | 1913 |
| Status | Memorial centre and museum Salomon Ludwig Steinheim Institute |
| Location | |
| Location | Essen, Germany |
| Geographic coordinates | 52°27′23″N 7°01′00″E |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Edmund Körner |
| Type | Synagogue |
| Style | Byzantine Revival Jugendstil (former interior) |
| Groundbreaking | 1911 |
| Completed | 1913 |
| Specifications | |
| Height (max) | 37m |
| Dome(s) | 1 |
After being severely damaged during Kristallnacht in 1938, but fortunately avoiding further damage from bombing during WWII, the burnt out interior was first completely redesigned to become a Museum of Industrial design in 1960. With greater interest in historic preservation, it underwent a second restoration in the 1980s to its original design; in preparation for its new use as a memorial centre and museum. The attached Rabbinerhaus (House of the Rabbi) has housed the Salomon Ludwig Steinheim Institute since 2011.