| Great Synagogue | |
| Native Name: | Polish: Synagoga Wielka w Katowicach German: Große Synagoge in Kattowitz |
| Image Upright: | 1.4 |
| Festivals: | --> |
| Organizational Status: | --> |
| Functional Status: | Destroyed |
| Location: | Uferstrasse (now Mickiewicza Street), Katowice, Silesian Voivodeship |
| Country: | Poland |
| Map Type: | Poland Silesian Voivodeship |
| Map Size: | 250 |
| Map Relief: | 1 |
| Coordinates: | 50.2611°N 19.0189°W |
| Architect: | Max Grünfeld |
| Established: | 1866 |
| Groundbreaking: | 1896 |
| Year Completed: | 1900 |
| Date Destroyed: | September 1939 |
| Capacity: | 1,120 seats |
| Dome Quantity: | One |
| Materials: | Brick |
| Elevation Ft: | --> |
The Great Synagogue (Polish: Synagoga Wielka w Katowicach; German: Große Synagoge in Kattowitz) was a former Jewish congregation and synagogue, that was located on Uferstrasse (contemporary Mickiewicza Street), in Katowice (Kattowitz), in the Silesian Voivodeship of Poland, in what was then the German Empire.
Designed by Max Grünfeld in an eclectic mix of the Gothic Revival and Renaissance Revival styles, and completed in 1900, the synagogue served as a house of prayer until World War II when it was destroyed by Nazis by arson in early September 1939, during the invasion of Poland.[1]
The plans to raise a new synagogue in Katowice arose around 1890, when the Old Synagogue became too small for the local worshippers. The construction begun in 1896, and the architect in charge was Max Grünfeld, a son of Ignatz Grünfeld who designed the old synagogue. The construction was finished in 1900 and the synagogue was opened on 12 October 1900; the largest synagogue in the city.[2]
The synagogue was set on fire by Nazis in early days of September 1939 after they gained control of the city during the invasion of Poland; probably on 8 September.[3] After the war, the few Jews who survived the Holocaust were unable to gather enough resources and support to rebuild the synagogue.
The Synagogue Square, along with a small market, occupies the site of the former synagogue.[4] In 1988, a monument was raised in the square, dedicated to the Jewish inhabitants of the city who perished during World War II. There were a series of plans to rebuild the synagogue, though none of them have proceeded to the implementation stage.
The brick synagogue was designed on the basis of a modified rectangle in style mixing Gothic Revival with Renaissance Revival, eclecticism, and traces of Moorish Revival styles; similar to the style of Reform synagogues in contemporary Germany.
The synagogue had a large dome with a cross-ribbed vault over the main prayer chamber which was preceded by a large entrance hall with offices and the chamber of marriage. The main chamber was topped with a lantern. Other characteristics elements included large decorated windows and small towers.[5]
The main chamber could hold 1,120 people; 670 men and 450 women.[5]