Since the 1840s, the religious turmoil that affected Hungary and some other Central European Jewish communities has also been felt in the Zagreb community. The majority of the community opted for a specific Hungarian form called Neolog Judaism, as opposed to the orthodox minority. The very choice of the style of the synagogue will be a symbol of such an orientation.
The Jewish community bought land in what was then Marija Valerija Street, today's Praška 9, and hired the famous architect Franjo Klein to build the synagogue. It was built on the model of the Leopoldstädter Tempel, the largest Viennese synagogue built in the neo-Moorish style.
Construction began in 1866 and the synagogue was opened in 1867. It was built at the time of the beginning of the large-scale urban development of Lower Town, which is why it was the tallest building in that part of town. It was a true symbol of the presence and importance of the Jewish community in Zagreb and became part of the city center that was formed at the time.
Find the plaque on the wall.
- What do you learn from the text?
- The Shoah (Holocaust) is mentioned in Hebrew. What do you notice on the plaque in Croatian?