More than 500 years ago, Jews had to leave their homes in Spain and Portugal and arrived to Sarajevo through Italy. Local authorities then helped them organize and the building of their religious centers began.
Construction of the Synagogue
‘’In this valley the first Jewish Temple was built, near Begova Mosque and the old Orthodox Christian Church. Sephardi brought with them the Ladino language, and the people of Sarajevo called them Spaniards’’, said to Avaz.ba. Mufid Garibija, a Sarajevo architect and known historian of the city.
With the arrival of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the community was increased with a wave of new immigrants, this time Ashkenazi from Central Europe.
The construction of the synagogue continued in a rich and luxurious style, because the desire emerged to build a large new temple that would be used by Sephardi and Ashkenazi.
‘’The construction did not begin until after WWI, during the period of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. By purchasing land near the Theatre, the conditions were met for the construction of the Great Temple. Rudolf Lubinski, an architect from Zagreb who was Jewish, was put in charge of the project. The works lasted four years end finished in 1930’’, said Garibija.
Its specialty was a large elliptical dome, which was then the third largest in Europe. The diameter was 22 meters, and 30 meters high. The enormous space was entered from the north, from today’s street of Zelenih Beretki, through the auditorium bounded with 10 pillars.
Marble and Mosaic
The temple had 700 seating spaces, and could accommodate 2.000 people. The walls were lined with Chinese marbles and mosaics.
‘’This huge and magnificent temple did not last long. It was looted and damaged during the fascist occupation of the city. Due to the killings and persecution, a few Jews remained, and after the liberation the Jewish Municipality generously donated this building to Sarajevo for cultural events’’, said Garibija.
Thus, here the known University and Workers Center “Đuro Đaković” was organized, and a large movie theatre and space for plays. The reconstruction was entrusted to well known Sarajevo architect and academic Ivan Štraus.
Large Stone Candle Holder
A menorah will be placed in the former auditorium on the 450th anniversary since the arrival of the Jews in Sarajevo. It will be a large stone candle holder, designed by architect Zlatko Ugljan.
After the aggression, the Bosnian Cultural Center was formed here, and visitors do not know that above the ceiling is a large elliptical dome in its original form. The blue color is even partially preserved. Today only the top of the dome is visible from the Theatre Square.
(Source: radiosarajevo.ba)
