Pazardzhik Synagogue
History of the Jews in Pazardzhik
The earliest record of Judaism in Pazardzhik was in 1580 mentioned in an Ottoman register. In 1614, there were seven households. That number grew to ten between 1635 and to 41 between 1696-1697. Around 1888, the Jews were 1,277, the highest number in the history of Jews in the city. In 1945, the Jews were up to 826 (303 males, 322 females, 201 children). Their main occupations were trading and carpentry. There were 121 traders, 36 craftsmen and 35 clerks.
There were many Zionist political organizations established in the autumn of 1944, such as ''Dr. M. Nahamzon'' and ''WIZO''. The biggest one was Nahamzon, which united other Zionist organizations.
Synagogue buildings
Great Synagogue
Sometimes called the Grand Synagogue or Big Synagogue, located on Asen Zlatarov Street, the larger and older synagogue was built in 1850. Designed by Stavri Temelkov, associated with the Bratsigovo architect school, the 5-metre-high (16 ft) stone synagogue was completed in the Bulgarian National Revival and Baroque Revival styles. It is believed that there was a previous synagogue in the same location constructed in the 17th century and burnt in the first half of the 19th century. Due to the mass emigration of Jews in Bulgaria, the synagogue is left to be not used for their intended purpose. The synagogue was believed to be used up until the c. 1940s.
In 1972, the synagogue was formally closed and used as a regional museum. In 1979, it was completely renovated, declared a Bulgarian architectural monument of culture, and then given back to the Jewish community in Pazardzhik.
Small Synagogue
The smaller synagogue, also located on Asen Zlatarov Street, was completed in 1872 in the Ottoman Art Nouveau style. From 1954 to 1979, the synagogue was used as a library for the local historical museum; and as a restaurant.
See also
References
- ^ Encyclopedia Pazardzhik (in Bulgarian) (1st ed.). Pazardzhik: Pazardzhik Municipality - Belloprint. 2011. ISBN 9789546843081.
- ^ "Pazardzhik Old Synagogues". Jewish Balkans. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ "Great Synagogue in Pazardzhik". Center for Jewish Art. Foundation for Jewish Heritage and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Yordanova, Miriana (December 11, 2003). "The Big Synagogue in Pazardzhik". Jewish Heritage in Bulgaria. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ "Small Synagogue (Midrash) in Pazardzhik". Center for Jewish Art. Foundation for Jewish Heritage and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
External links
Media related to Grand Synagogue of Pazardzhik at Wikimedia Commons- Media related to Small Synagogue of Pazardzhik at Wikimedia Commons
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