The important synagogue complex in Włodawa, Poland is to undergo restoration. The complex, located on Czerwonego Krzyża street and housing the Leczna-Wlodawa Lake District Museum, includes the elegant late-baroque Great Synagogue, built in the late 18th century, a beit midrash originally built in the 18th century and reconstructed in the early 20th century, and a beit midrash from the 1920s.
Virtual Shtetl has reported that on April 26, regional authorities signed an agreement allowing a more than 5 million zloty (€1.2 million) renovation to go forward. It will include:
renovation of the facade; replacement of roof, windows and doors; replacement of flashings and guttering; insulation of walls; and replacement of the heating system.
The VS report said the Lublin province governor will allocate 3.5 million zł from the Regional Operational Program. The museum hopes to obtain the remaining amount – about 1.5 million zł – from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.
An article on Virtual Shtetl provides a detailed description of the Great Synagogue, which
was erected between 1764 and 1771 thanks to the efforts of the kehilla and support of the Czartoryski family foundation. Its design was most probably created by Paweł Antoni Fontana. The synagogue was partially rebuilt at the end of the 18th century. A hundred years later a second storey and two corner annexes were built. The interior was reconstructed after a fire had destroyed it in 1934. During the occupation the synagogue was devastated by the Nazis and changed into a storehouse. In such a condition it survived until 1970. In the 1980s it was thoroughly renovated and the Museum of Łęczna and Włodawa Lake District was opened there in 1986. A display of Judaica enriched the permanent ethnographic in 1990.
Read full article about the Great Synagogue
Read the Virtual Shtetl report on the renovation
See the Wlodawa section on Shtetl Routes
1 comment on “Poland: Synagogue complex in Włodawa to undergo restoration”
I found the article fascinating dealing with the history of the area which showed the many changes of borders. I am a bit confused as to the Leczna name mentioned as part of the town name. My family came in the late 19th century from Lithuania but we understood that the Lenczner or Leczna name came from further south.Anyone have any ideas or information on this? Thanks