Rijeka Synagogue

About

The Rijeka synagogue is the successor of the hospitable facility from 1903 which disappeared in the Second World War. Although it is located just a few hundred metres from the one that disappeared, the synagogue that is today used by the city’s Jewish community greeted the end of the war without being damaged. It was built in 1932 as smaller facility with an unexpected architectonic appearance. Today it is the only temple of its kind in Croatia from the modernism period. It was designed by architects Vittorio Angyal and Pietro Fabbro. The lines of the building are simple, of clear modernistic spirit with elements of Mediterranean influence and associations to Art Deco details. In 2008 the synagogue’s reconstruction was terminated during which the building received its initial appearance again. Besides other things, its two altars and oath chest were restored. The Rijeka synagogue is the only facility constructed with the purpose of its kind in Croatia and still operates in its original ritual function.