Karlsruhe Synagogue

Today's synagogue of the Jewish Community Karlsruhe dates from the year 1971. It was preceded by several previous buildings. In the first decade after the founding of the city (1715 ), the Karlsruhe Jews in the Crown Street had a house of prayer mikveh.

Synagogue of Weinbrenner, 1798-1871

As the simple " Gemeindsgebäude " of the 18th century was too small, plans were made for a new synagogue in Karlsruhe. The plans for this building worked from just returned from Rome, Karlsruhe young architect Friedrich Weinbrenner. It was his first major project in the city, whose image he coined later. The foundation stone was laid on June 10, 1798 at the site of the former temple construction was started quickly. From 1800 the building was used, the official inauguration of the " synagogue of the Jews " as Israelite Bet, teaching and meeting houses were then more commonly known, however, took place only in 1806, in the presence of Margrave Karl Friedrich.

The complex between Crown Street and Long Street (now Kaiser Street ) consisted of a front building with apartments and administrative offices, a column- lined courtyard for weddings and the Feast of Tabernacles and the behind it sacred building, in the mikveh ( ritual bath) and the actual worship space with the Aron HaKodesh ( the ark ). The building was an early example of a classical monumental building with pointed arches as a style element of Orientalism. Ägyptisierende pylons on either side of the portal, ogival arcades and Doric columns in the interior around the farm marked the massive building, which was also a model for other buildings of this style in the 19th century, with its oriental appearance.

In large parts in wood executed, this synagogue was burning in the night of 29 down 30 May 1871 caused by the fire of a neighboring house.

• Weinbrenner Synagogue

Facade, 1810

Courtyard, 1810

Exterior view, 1870

Liberal Synagogue, 1872-1938

1872-75 was a new building on the same site. With the later chief architect Josef Durm an architect was commissioned, which designed the representative building of the city of Karlsruhe in the subsequent period. The main front was formed together with flanking side buildings a small forecourt, whose position marks the current monument. The facilities, among others belonged also an organ.

During the pogroms of November 1938, the facility was demolished and forced the community to allow the building to pay off their money.

• Liberal Synagogue

Synagogue of Durm, 1900

Synagogue of Durm, 1900

Received wings, 2008

Cemetery

On the main cemetery of Karlsruhe was a building for funerals built in liberal Jewish part of 1895.

• Cemetery building

Orthodox Synagogue, 1881-1938

1881 was built to plans by Gustav Ziegler in the court of Karl -Friedrich -Straße 16 another synagogue. This community center with prayer house and school is one of the well-trodden from the ancient Jewish community, Orthodox Jewish religious society. Determined by the location of the property, the main facade on the east side had to be attached. Behind the apparent entrance is the ark.

Also, this synagogue was destroyed in 1938. Only a plaque at today's G. Braun Media House commemorates the former location.

• Orthodox synagogue

Interior, circa 1900

Destroyed interior, 1938

Mr. Street 14

1889 had Curjel and Moser, later also known for Protestant churches, a building erected for the Jewish community in the Lord Street 14.

This meetinghouse was, together with the Hotel Nassauer Hof in Kriegstrasse, the last refuge for many Jewish Karlsruhe / in before their flight or deportation. The building was not destroyed during the war and then served the returnees and displaced persons as a house of worship and a community center.

New Synagogue (1971 )

1971 established the Jewish Community a new building on the Knielinger Avenue, in the area of ​​present-day northern city. The architectural firm Backhaus and Brosinsky had previously known for building Karlsruhe companies and housing estates for the People's apartment and the occupying powers planned. The synagogue has a hexagonal plan, the roof structure forms a Star of David, the wall surfaces inclined triangles. Inside, create a tent-like impression. Under the synagogue hall is a banquet hall. A mikvah is not available.

In office annex and the Supreme Council of the IRG Baden has its headquarters

Sources and bibliography

• Gerhard Everke: Synagogues in Karlsruhe. By Friedrich Weinbrenner Josef Durm and Gustav Ziegler. In: Heinz Schmitt ( ed.): Jews in Karlsruhe. Contributions to their history to the Nazi seizure of power. 2nd edition. Revised special edition. Badenia, Karlsruhe, 1990, ISBN 3-7617-0268- X, ( Publications of the Karlsruhe city archives 8 ), pp. 221-246.
• Arthur Valdenaire: Friedrich Weinbrenner. His life and his buildings. 4th edition. CF Müller, Karlsruhe, 1985, ISBN 3-7880-9715-9, pp. 64-66.