Sofia Synagogue

Before the Liberation in 1878, the Jews in Sofia were 1/4 of town’s population. These were mainly Sepharads (Jews that arrived in the XV century from Spain and Portugal). They wanted a new, big and beautiful temple. So, they raised money from donations and at the place of the old wooden synagogue decided to build a new one. 
The project was commissioned by to the famous architect Friedrich Grunanger, of Austrian origin, who lived and worked at the time in Bulgaria. He proposed several projects that were nevertheless rejected hence upon the wish of the Jewish community they borrowed the synagogue model in Vienna, later on destroyed by the Nazis. 
The opening was on 09.09.1909. It was all very solemn. The royal family attended, as well as politicians, citizens. Representatives of the other religions were invited as well, as a sign of tolerance and good relations between all religions.
The building is rectangular, two-storey, with entrance hall, big yard and a crypt. 
Gravestones are built into its foundations from the old Jewish graveyard and the names of the most deserving ones for its construction are put down on its wall.
The facade is decorated with architectural elements, a combination of Venetian and Mauritanian style. The interior is colourful – floor venetian mosaics, marble columns, arches and wood-carving. The ceilings are painted as a sky, and the walls are decorated in synchrony with the Jewish traditions – geometric figures, colourful and plant motives, without depicting human faces. 
The architect has built into on many occasions the number “eight” being an important symbol in Judaism – the prayer hall has octagonal shape, the chandelier has 8 lamps and 8 arches, the floor mosaics has an ornament that is eight-angled star, in whose centre eight flowers are arranged.
The chandelier that weighs 1700 kg is a real jewel and it hangs from the central dome. It was made in Vienna, made of brass, according to the project of the architect Grunanger. Its design contains numerous interwoven elements, colours, religious symbols, and ends up with a five-tipped crown which symbolizes the supremacy of Torah (Bible’s main part). The impressive 70 lamps and over 400 six-angle David stars being the symbol of Jewish identity are built into it. In chandelier’s centre and along the periphery, as well as from balconies many lamps are hanging, being small-scale copies of the large chandelier, provided with power even in the past.
The altar is placed at a stepped pedestal with exquisite railing, made of white marble. Four gold-covered multi-candlesticks are placed, decorated with stones, purchased from Vienna.

At a central location there is a big inscription in old Jewish language that says “Know whom you knee before”.
The Sofia synagogue has been an active temple from its opening to present days. It was closed only in the period of 1943-44 during the Second World War when most Jews were deported to the countryside in order not to deport them in Hitler’s death camps. Bulgaria is famous for the fact it rescued its Jews. Details about this could be seen in the historical museum in the synagogue, located on the second floor.
During the bombarding in 1944, the synagogue was impacted – the balcony and several columns in the hall were destroyed, the stained glass windows were broken, the precious library collection burnt down.
Today you could take a look at it after purchasing a ticket, on your way out you could take a look in the souvenir store.