Former Synagogue
The synagogue was built in 1913 according to the plans of Theodor Schreier and Viktor Postelberg; it was heavily damaged in the Kristallnacht (November 9/10, 1938). After 1945, the building was returned to the IKG Vienna, as the IKG St. Pölten did not exist anymore – the Jewish community of St. Pölten had been flourishing but was destroyed during the war and only few survivors returned to St. Pölten.
In summer 1980, costly renovations started as a sale or a complete demolition of the dilapidated building were out of the question due to reasons of protection of historical monuments. As the stencils of the mural patterns of the cupola had been rediscovered, the cupola could be reproduced in all its beauty. Only the Hebrew verses within the medallions could not be reconstructed, nor could the colourful Art-Nouveau-windows be saved.
The Kantorhaus has been home to the Institute for Jewish History in Austria since 1988.
Following necessary renovation and adaptation, the building is now in new splendour accessible on all levels. The roof was renovated and the lighting and room technology were improved. The transformation into a modern centre for exhibitions, cultural events and history education was funded in equal parts by the federal government of Austria, the province of Lower Austria and the city of St. Pölten.
The Former Synagogue St. Pölten is now an institution of the NÖ Museum Betriebs GesmbH, with all the security that this status offers as part of the NÖ Kulturbetriebe. The museum is open from mid-April to mid-November from Tue-Fri, 10.00-17.00 and Sat, Sun, public holidays, 10.00-18.00. On display is a permanent presentation on the synagogue and its community, curated by Martha Keil and based on the research findings of the Injoest, as well as annual temporary exhibitions. On 16 May 2024, the exhibition "Things move. Objects and their Jewish Stories" – also curated by Martha Keil – will open.
The synagogue can be visited from 19 April 2024. Further information on opening hours, educational programmes and events can be found here: |Former St. Pölten Synagogue|
