The Arlon Synagogue (French: Synagogue d'Arlon) is a Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in the town of Arlon, in the south of Belgium. Established as a congregation in 1818, the synagogue was completed in 1863 and consecrated in 1865. The Arlon synagogue is the first synagogue that was built in Belgium.[1] Today religious services are rare, as the majority of Jews have left Arlon.
| Arlon Synagogue | |
|---|---|
French: Synagogue d'Arlon | |
 The Arlon Synagogue in 2019 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Rue de la Synagogue, Arlon |
| Country | Belgium |
  Location of the synagogue in Belgium | |
| Geographic coordinates | 49°40′59″N 5°49′07″E / 49.683126°N 5.81873°E |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Albert Janot |
| Type | Synagogue architecture |
| Style | Romanesque Revival |
| Date established | 1818 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1863 |
| Spire(s) | Two |
Invalid designation | |
| Official name | French: Totalité de la synagogue sise rue Saint Jean à Arlon |
| Type | Major Heritage Building of Wallonia |
| Designated | 28 November 2005 |
| Reference no. | 81001-CLT-0041-01 |
History
editDesigned by Albert Janot in the Romanesque Revival style, the synagogue was completed in 1863 with two slim side towers and a tall central arch over the portal and rose window.[2] The synagogue was spared destruction during the Second World War, but the building was turned into a straw depot.[3] The synagogue's concierge kept the Torah scroll safe during the war.
On 28 November 2005, the synagogue was classified as a Major Heritage Building of Wallonia.[4]
Between 2014 and 2019, the synagogue was closed, during major structural renovations caused by moisture and dry rot that compromised the structure of the building, leading to the collapse of a vault. The building was subsequently repaired with the support of a local Islamic community and other support.[2][5][6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "La synagogue". Ville d'Arlon (in French). Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
- ^ a b "Belgium: Synagogue in Arlon reopens after five years following fullscale restoration". Jewish Heritage Europe. October 7, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
- ^ Massart, Baudouin (2016). Beyond the memory, the Jewish community of Arlon today. ASBL Mémoire d'Auschwitz.
- ^ "Totalité de la synagogue sise rue Saint Jean à Arlon". Aménagement du territoire, Logement, Patrimoine et Énergie (in French). Wallonie service public SPW. November 28, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ "Arlon: la synagogue restaurée a été inaugurée". www.vivreici.be (in French). November 19, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
- ^ Rabbi Jacob, Jean-Claude (April 2020). "Arlon's Jewish community". Morasha. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
External links
edit
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