Cold Synagogue, Minsk

The Cold Synagogue (Yiddish: די קאַלטע שול, Belarusian: Халодная сінагога) was a masonry synagogue located in the center of Minsk on what is now Niamiha Street. It was not used as a place of study and therefore was not heated, which is why it received the name "Cold".[1] The synagogue is considered the oldest in Minsk.[2]

Cold Synagogue
Yiddish: די קאַלטע שול
Religion
AffiliationJudaism
Location
LocationMinsk, Minsk Region, Belarus
Cold Synagogue in Minsk
Geographic coordinates53°54′16″N 27°33′11″E
Architecture
Completed1570
Destroyed1965

History

The building was erected in 1570, though it is assumed that it housed an Orthodox church,[2][3] and only in 1796 the building was bought by the Jewish community, rebuilt and renovated. However, in architectural terms, this structure was originally characteristic of synagogues of that era.

In 1930, the synagogue was closed.[3]

In 1944, after the liberation of Minsk from the German occupation, the synagogue was again handed over to believing Jews for a short time.[3]

In 1965, the synagogue was demolished during the reconstruction of this district of Minsk.[3][2]

Schemes of the building
Cross-section, 1881
Detailed plans, 1881
Ground floor plan, made in 1954 during the reconstruction
Photos of the synagogue
Photo made between 1901-1918
Aerial photo of the district with the synagogue at its center, 1941
The synagogue near the newly built Institute, 1960s
Painting by Yankel Kruger

References
  1. "CИНАГОГИ В МИНСКЕ". Виртуальный штетл. Archived from the original on 2017-02-09.
  2. "ГІСТРЫЧНАЯ ЗАБУДОВА XVI-XIX СТАГОДДЗЯЎ ВУЛІЦА ШКОЛЬНАЯ І ШКОЛЬНЫ ДВОР". spadchina.by.
  3. "Синагоги". minsk-old-new.com. Минск старый и новый. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
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