Restoration, reconstruction and revitalization of the Synagogue in Trenčín

Information in a nutshell

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Jewish community made up 15 to 20 per cent of the Trenčín population. The original wooden synagogue was not sufficient for numerous religious community and, thus, it was replaced with a new one in 1913. A remarkable building is an example of early modernist trends, it is a timeless work of Berlin-based and Trenčín-born architect Richard Scheibner and his colleague Hugo Pál. The rich decorated synagogue was damaged by anti-Jewish fury and military actions during WW2. The landmark was further hit during the communist regime when there was a clothing warehouse located there and, due to insensitive reconstruction in the 70s and 80s, its unique acoustics and abundant decorations were damaged. The current Jewish community in Trenčín and, after its restoration, the Jewish religious community in Trenčín, have made long-term effort to maintain the synagogue. Since the 90s, there have been several partial reconstructions carried out there, some of them repeatedly. Due to the difficult financial situation, it was not possible to restore its condition in a more comprehensive manner, to prevent multiple emergency situations and stop the impact of time and weather conditions.