Great Synagogue, Lutsk
| Great Synagogue of Lutsk | |
|---|---|
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| Basic information | |
| Location |
 Lutsk, Ukraine
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| Status | Not active |
| Architectural description | |
| Architectural type | Defensive synagogue |
| Architectural style | Renaissance |
| Completed | 1629 |
| Materials | brick |
The Great Synagogue in Lutsk, Ukraine, is a Renaissance building with a tower. Located in the Jewish quarter, it was the religious, educational and community centre of Lutsk (Polish: Łuck) Jews until the invasion of Poland in the Second World War. For a long period, it also served as a defensive building. Partially destroyed in 1942, the synagogue was restored in the 1970s. It is now used as a sports club.
The first records of the Jews in Lutsk date from 1388. Vytautas the Great, Grand Duke of Lithuania, granted privileges for Lutsk Jews. Towards the end of the 15th century, the Jewish community of Lutsk had acquired considerable wealth and influence, and some of its members figured prominently as tax collectors. The Jews were generally engaged in trade but they also owned a brewery and operated guilds. Scientific research indicates that the first brick synagogue was built in second half of the 16th century. It is assumed the synagogue must have been destroyed by fire during the Tatars raid in 1617. The new synagogue was then built on the ruins of the old building.
King Sigismund III Vasa of Poland approved the construction of a new synagogue and school on 5 May 1626. However construction of the synagogue was opposed by its Dominican neighbours. Under Christian rules, synagogues could not exceed a certain height. However, the king confirmed his approval and the Jewish community was victorious. The Dominicans had fallen from favor with the royal court. The height of synagogue was not to exceed that of the Dominican church.
The cube-shaped prayer hall representing architecture of the Italian-Polish Renaissance was the main part of new synagogue. The walls were up to 1.5 m thick. There were two additional sections used by women and for the Jewish school or Yeshiva. A defensive tower containing the arsenal with loopholes was built on the southern corner of the prayer hall according to the wishes the king. The tower formed part of city walls, allowing the synagogue to contribute to defences in addition to its religious and educational roles.
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Wikipedia