Summer opening hours have been announced for the magnificent former synagogue in St. Pölten, Austria, about 60 km west of Vienna. Since 1988 the building has been part of the complex housing the Institute for Jewish History in Austria. The Institute carries out comprehensive research into the history and culture of the Jews in Austria, from the Middle Ages up to the present day.
From June 1 to September 28, the synagogue, built in 1913, will be open to the public on Sundays from 2 until 8 p.m. Entrance is free, and there will be an introductory talk each Sunday at 6. p.m.
The great domed building was designed by Theodor Schreier and Viktor Postelberg. It was seriously damaged in the Kristallnacht pogrom of November 9-10, 1938.
After 1945, the building was returned to the Vienna Jewish community. The Jewish community in St. Pölten had been destroyed.
Extensive renovations took place in the 1980s, including the interior of the painted decoration on the interior of the cupola.
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