Old Synagogue in Świdnica

The synagogue in Świdnica, located at 16 Kotlarska Street, is the city's first brick synagogue, built in the 14th century. Its architecture represents the Gothic style, featuring a two-nave, two-bay structure with an F-shaped floor plan. Due to structural modifications, the interior of the synagogue lost its original layout, and only parts of the external decoration have been preserved. In the 18th century, the building was converted into storage facilities, and underwent a thorough renovation at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. In 1453, as a result of the actions of Jan Kapistran, Jews were expelled from the city, and the synagogue was transformed into the Church of the Corpus Christi. In later years, the building served as the city arsenal, and its history is inextricably linked to the fate of the Jewish community in Świdnica and the changing political circumstances. Today, the structure still functions as a warehouse, which unfortunately has led to a lack of care for its historical elements. The synagogue in Świdnica is not only an important landmark in the city's Jewish history but also an architectural example that reflects the rich and complex past of this community. Interestingly, despite numerous transformations, the building still retains elements of its original character, standing as a witness to important historical events in the region.