Obj. ID: 14033
Jewish Architecture  Wooden Synagogue in Bechhofen, Germany

Synagogue in Bechhofen was probably the largest wooden synagogue in Germany. It was painted by Sussman in 1732 - 1733 (Davidovich, 13). The dimensions of the prayer hall are 8.5 m x 9.1 m x 6.1 m (according to Davidovich).

The ceiling of the prayer hall was a wooden barrel vault. The vault of the synagogue was covered with continuous floral decoration interlaid with small animals and birds. In the center of the vault there was a medallion with an inscription.

The southern and northern walls of the prayer hall were divided into two tiers, and separated from the vault by a cornice containing an inscription. Both tiers were vertically divided by panels.

The central tier of the walls was lined by text tables framed by wide strip of decorative bordering. Medallions were placed above the semicircular windows on the inner southern and northern walls. A seven-branched menorah was painted in the central panel of the southern wall. This Temple menorah was depicted with three branches on either side of a central branch, all of which were lit with flame. A verse from the Psalm 37:10 was inscribed above the menorah, and a verse from Psalm 67 inside the menorah.

A shewbread Table was painted on the central panel of the northern wall. Twelve round loaves of bread on lattices stood upon a table with a tablecloth.

Decorative panels with floral ornamentation lined the lower tier.

Eastern Wall

The eastern wall was divided into three tiers, each of which were vertically divided into panels containing text, symbolical images, and ornamentation.

The  baroque-style carved wooden Torah ark was located in the center of the eastern wall. The Torah ark was placed within a wide decorative wall panel filled with floral ornamentation. Above the ark was a painted medallion containing text and framed by floral ornamentation and a painted curtain.

The upper tier was a semicircular spandrel of the vault, which was vertically divided into panels. Two heraldic lions flanked the semicircular window. Vases with etrogs, lulaves, fruit and flowers were depicted in the panels directly to the north and south of each lion. A shofar and trumpets were depicted above the vases on the northern part. A unicorn was depicted in the northern corner of the spandrel.