Polychrome frescoes have been discovered in the historic synagogue in Bobowa, Poland, during restoration being carried out this autumn. Restoration work on the discovered paintings will continue into next spring.
The discovery was reported in Virtual Shtetl, citing a report in the local news web site sadeczanin.info.
So far, polychromes on the right and on the left side of the east-oriented nave have been discovered in the place where the Ark is located. They boast various embellishments painted in lively colours. Other wall paintings on the side walls have also been found.
The synagogue is noted for the unique wooden gallery on its exterior and the elaborate painted decorative stucco construction framing the ark. Dating from 1778, this features columns with entwined grapevines, gilded lions, birds and other plant and animal motifs. Already some years ago, the Jewish travel guide and web site diapositive.pl noted that there was “little doubt that the white coat of paint on all the walls conceals polychromies known from photographs taken before the Second World War.”
The building was returned to the ownership of the Krakow Jewish community in 1993, after long use as a weaver’s workshop. It underwent restoration, thanks to funding from Rabbi Asche Scharf of New York, and was rededicated in 2003.
According sadeczanin.info, the insulation of the building to remove the damp carried out during the original restoration was not fully successful, and the current restoration work involves drying the walls and countering moisture damage.
2 comments on “New frescoes discovered in Bobowa, Poland synagogue”
This restoration must be seen as a vital part of Poland’s heritage.
It is essential that the synagogue be fully and lovingly restored for every Polish person be they Jewish or non-Jewish.
It’s so beautiful – I hope they can bring back the rest of the wall paintings.