The long-dilapidated, late 19th century synagogue in the small town of Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia was rededicated in September after a 14-month, nearly €900,000 renovation process. A commemorative plaque honoring the destroyed Jewish community was unveiled.
The synagogue, picturesquely situated in the town center, is owned by the local ERB Brewery and now forms part of the brewery complex.
It was built in 1893 for the Neologue community. Bought by the city from the surviving Jewish community in 1949, it was supposed to be used for cultural purposes (the contract with the Jewish community stipulated that it not be used for inappropriate purposes and that it also have a commemorative plaque affixed to the facade) but instead it was used as a plumbing workshop and warehouse and also housed a driving school. It was taken over by various private owners after 1989 and fell into serious disrepair.
At present it is used by the directorate of the brewery and for part of the brewing process. But future plans call for the brewing technology to be removed and the space used for cultural purposes by 2019.
The renovation was celebrated with a gala event on Sept. 2.
See a photo gallery of the event opening the reconstructed synagogue
See photos of the reconstruction process
See video report on the completed restoration