Synagogue in Żarki

The synagogue in Żarki, located at 2 Stanisław Moniuszko Street, is the only one preserved of the three freestanding synagogues in the city. Built around 1870 on the initiative of progressive Jews, it features a distinctive Moorish and Neo-Romanesque architectural style. The building has a rectangular layout measuring 16.2 by 39.6 meters. The interior consists of a vestibule leading to a spacious prayer hall, where the Aron ha-kodesh is located on the eastern wall, and the central place is occupied by the bimah. Above the vestibule, there is a women's gallery, which is a typical feature of synagogues. Before the war, the building's facade had three doors, with a circular window above the central one. Unfortunately, the synagogue was devastated by the Nazis during World War II, and the damage persisted after bombings. After the war, between 1954 and 1957, it was repurposed for the use of the Municipal Cultural Center, which involved expansion and alterations to the front wall. From 2009 to 2011, the synagogue was restored at a cost of 5 million PLN, 85% of which came from EU funds, and it was also expanded with a new wing. It is worth adding that the synagogue in Żarki plays a significant role in preserving the memory of Jewish culture in the region, serving not only as a site of historical importance but also as a cultural one.