Obj. ID: 16129
Jewish Architecture Description of the Synagogue at 27 Kirova St.- 31 Izmailovskaia St. in Bilhorod-Dnistrovs'kyi (Akkerman), Ukraine
Name of the place: BELGOROD-DNESTROVSKII
Name of the synagogue: Synagogue at 27 Kirova Street – 31 Izmail`skaya Street
Location: Ukraine; Odessa region; BELGOROD-DNESTROVSKII; 27 Kirova Street – 31 Izmail`skaya Street
In 1998 architect L. Dmitrovich, with the assistance of V.M. Krichevskii (the director of Belgorod-Dnestrovskii Jewish society), completed the field documentation and the measurements.
1. History of the place: Belgorod-Dnestrovskii is a town in the Odessa region of Ukraine located in the center of Belgorod-Dnestrovskii district. The town is also a port on Dniester Estuary, settled about 18 km from the Black sea.
1.1. The first record of the place: In the 6th century B.C.E. Belgorod-Dnestrovskii was known as the Greek polis Tira. In the 9th century C.E. where the town of Tira stood, the Slavic tribes Tyvertsy and Ulichi founded their political, economic, and commercial center of Belgorog. In the 13th century, Belgorog became a part of the Galich-Volyn` princedom. Then, in the 14th century the Genovese conquered the town and gave it the new name of Monkastro (Mavrokastro). In the 15th century the town, at that time called Cetatea Alba (meaning White fortress), became a part of Moldova principality. In 1484 Turkey acquired Cetatea Alba and in 1503 named it Akkerman (meaning White stone). Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries the town was the center of Belgorod Horde. According to Bucharest Peace Treaty in 1812, Akkerman then passed to Russia. At the beginning of 1918 Akkerman (at that time was a part of Bessarabia) was conquered by Romania. In 1940 it was returned to USSR. In the beginning of the World War II, on the 5th of July, 1941, the fascists occupied Belgorod. On August 23rd of the same year, it was liberated by forces of the 3rd Ukrainian Front. In 1944, the town received the name Belgorod-Dnestrovskii.
1.4.2. Founding of synagogues, batei-midrash, yeshibot, orphanages, retirement homes, heders, craft schools, cemeteries, hospitals, mikvaot, burial societies, social organizations, sport clubs, publishing houses, etc.: Until WWII, the town had a significant Jewish population. There were several synagogues, schools, banks, and old-age homes.
1.4.5. Jewish life today (1998): Now there are three preserved synagogue buildings in Belgorod-Dnestrovskii. One of the buildings houses the Belgorod-Dnestrovskii Jewish Society as well as an active synagogue.
2. Topography: The synagogue is situated near the central part of the town where the Jews lived before WWII. Two more preserved synagogues are located nearby.
4. History of the building:
4.2. When it was built: The synagogue may have been built between the 18th and 19th centuries.
4.5. Periods of reconstruction: Information gathered from visual research suggests that the building went through some changes in the ground plan and the exterior. These changes were made to accommodate the needs of the synagogue. There were also some insignificant changes made to accommodate the vocational training school. Currently (1998), these rooms still serve the same purposes. For example, the vestibule is used as an office, the main hall for workshops, and the women’s section as a lecture and assembly hall.
5. General description of the exterior of the building:
5.1. Division into the volumes: The synagogue includes two main volumes: the main hall and the women’s section.
5.2. The main and side entrances: The entrance into the main hall is on the northern facade. Another entrance was made later from the south side for needs of the vocational school. The outer stairs lead through the vestibule to the entrance of the women’s section, which is situated on the western side of the upper floor. The entrances to the building are on the ground floor in the northern side of the building and were adjusted for the vocational school.
5.3. Surrounding buildings: The synagogue building is a separate building located in the center of the large courtyard of the vocational school.
5.4. The later extensions and/or reconstructed parts of the building: From observation, it is possible that the vestibule was constructed later. It is also likely that the part of the building where the women’s section exists was constructed later.
5.5. The walls: The walls are made of brick with a width of about .80 m. The plaster that the walls are finished with is made of mortar. The volume of the vestibule is bricked by silicate bricks and is not finished with plaster.
5.6. The attic wall: The western section of the northern facade is brick finished by plaster. There is also a fairly plain parapet with a Star of David in its center.
5.7. The roof: The roof over the main hall is two-sloped with a gable on the eastern part. Over the women’s section the roof is 3-sloped and adjacent to the slope of the roof of the vestibule. The inner roof constructions are wooden and covered by metal. The garret can be reached through the gable on the eastern side of the building.
5.8. The general impression of the synagogue and its attachments: The synagogue building looks like a monumental worship building that has been preserved until present time with minimal changes.
6. General description of the ground plan:
6.1. The shape of the plan outline: The plan is rectangular with a triangular apse-like protrusion on the eastern side.
6.2. General exterior measurements: The length of the eastern wall is 13.25 m, (the apse-like protrusion is 2.55 m in length), the northern wall is 25.8 m, the western wall is 13.05 m (the vestibule is 8.80 m), the southern wall is 23.09 m, and the adjacent wall of the vestibule is 2.78 m.
6.3. Orientation of the ground plan: Traditional orientation (facing the east).
7. Description of the facades:
7.1. The Eastern Façade:
7.1.1. General measurements of the façade: The length of the eastern facade is 13.25 m. The height of the brick portion of the wall from the conditional zero is 540 cm. The height from the conditional zero up to the finial of the roof (the top of the gable) is about 1100 cm. The length of the apse-like protrusion is 2.55 m and its height is 4.65 m.
7.1.2. Number of tiers of the façade: The facade is one tier.
7.1.2.1.1. Door / window openings: location and number of openings (describe the location relatively to the cardinal points): The facade has 4 windows that open to the main hall. There are 2 windows situated symmetrically on either side of the apse-like protrusion. They are at a height of 140 cm from the conditional zero.
7.1.2.1.2. Outlines of the openings (rectangular, round, semicircular or others; openings spanned with a semicircular, segment, pointed, arch, etc.): The windows are rectangular.
7.1.2.1.3. Frames of the openings {material, number of folds, construction, and number of panels or glasses, decorated details of the frame, their subject or motif, material, technique, state of preservation): The two windows that are situated on the southern side of the apse-like protrusion are wooden, two-sashed with transoms, and are simply designed. The windows on the northern side of the protrusion are filled with glass blocks. There is no decorative framing on the windows.
7.1.2.3. Finishing (plaster, painting, facing or other kinds of finishing; state of preservation): The brick part of the facade is plastered by mortar and painted white. The gable is covered by wood planks.
7.1.2.4. Vertical division of the tier (columns, colonettes, pilasters, buttresses or others [please, mention the architectural order]): The crowning cornice is simple and plastered. The apse-like protrusion is made of brick, plastered, and half-dome-formed on the top. On either end of the façade there are pilasters with very simple and small capitals.
7.2-4. The Northern Façade:
Descriptions of the façade: The northern facade includes 3 sections that correspond with the interior plan: an eastern, middle, and western section. The eastern section of the facade corresponds with the main hall, the middle section corresponds with the women’s section, and the western section to the vestibule. The entire length of the facade is 25.8 m.
7.2. The Eastern Section of the Northern Façade:
7.2.1. General measurements of the façade: The length is 14.26 m and the height from the conditional zero up to the cornice is 5.4 m. The height from the conditional zero to the top of the roof is 11 m.
7.2.2. Number of tiers of the façade: The eastern section of the northern facade has one tier.
7.2.2.1.1. Door / window openings: On the eastern section of the facade there are 4 windows total. There are 2 windows positioned on each side of the door to the main hall.
7.2.2.1.2. Outlines of the openings: The shape and the measurements of the windows are the same as on the eastern facade. The door is rectangular.
7.2.2.1.3. Frames of the openings: The frames of the windows are wooden and simple. The door opening is modern, wooden, and 2-sashed.
7.2.2.1.4. The exterior decorative framings of the openings: There is no decorative framing on the eastern section of the façade.
7.2.2.2. Decorative elements of the floor: In the eastern section of the facade there is a pilaster with a nondescript, simple capital.
7.2.3. Crowning element of the façade: The finishing element of the facade is a brick crowning cornice, which is plastered, simple, and shelf-like.
7.3. The Middle Section of the Northern Façade:
7.3.1. General measurements of the façade: The length of the middle section of the façade is 8 m. The height up to the top of the wall is 6.8 m, and the height up to the finial of the roof is 11.5 m.
7.3.2. Number of floors of the façade: The middle section of the façade has two tiers.
7.3.2.1.1.1. Door / window openings: The middle section of the facade has 6 windows and 1 door.
7.3.2.1.1.2. Outlines of the openings: The windows of the ground floor are small (1.2 m x 8 m) and rectangular. The door is also rectangular.
7.3.2.2.1.2. Outlines of the openings: The windows of the upper floor are big (2.3 m x 1.6 m) and have flat arches.
7.3.2.1.1.3. Frames of the openings: The frames of the windows of the ground floor are wooden and simple. The door has no framing.
7.3.2.2.1.3. Frames of the openings: The windows of the upper floor have simple plastered framing.
7.3.2.4. Vertical division of the floors: On either side of the middle section there are pilasters that continue through both floors.
7.4. The Western Section of the Northern Façade:
Description of the façade: This section of the facade corresponds to the volume of the vestibule.
7.4.1. General measurements of the façade: The length of the western section is 3.55 m. The height from the conditional zero up to the bottom of the attic is 6.8 m, the height to the top of the parapet is 8.9 m, and the height to the finial of the roof is 11.5 m.
7.4.2. Number of tiers of the façade: The facade has two tiers.
7.4.2.1.1.1. Door / window openings: The ground floor has 1 door.
7.4.2.2.1.1. Door / window openings: The upper floor has 1 window. It is positioned at the same height as the windows on the upper floor of the middle section.
7.4.2.1.1.2. Outlines of the openings: The door is rectangular and two-sashed.
7.4.2.2.1.2. Outlines of the openings: The window of the upper floor is big (2.3 m x 1.6 m) and has a flat arch.
7.4.2.1.1.3. Frames of the openings: The frame of the door is wooden with a central transom separating the two sashes.
7.4.2.2.1.3. Frames of the openings: The window of the upper floor has a simple plastered framing.
7.4.2.4. Vertical division of the floor: The western section of the northern facade is the most decorated part of the building. On the both sides of the western section there are plaster pilasters with rustic stone-like decorations.
7.4.2.3. Finishing: The northern facade is finished with lime plaster and painted white. The condition is satisfactory. The western part of the northern facade is topped with a simple parapet and a Star of David drawn in the center.
7.5. The Western Façade:
7.5.1. General measurements of the facade: The entire length of the façade is 13.05 m (the length of the vestibule is 8.8 m). The height of the facade from the conditional zero to the top of the wall is 6.8 m, and the height from the conditional zero to the top of the roof is 11.6 m.
7.5.2. Number of tiers of the façade: The facade has two tiers.
7.5.2. Description of a separate: The lower tier corresponds to the foundation of the vestibule. An outer staircase leads up to the upper floor into the women’s section.
7.5.2.1.1. Door / window openings: location and number of openings: On the second floor there are 2 windows into the vestibule and 1 window into the women’s section.
7.5.2.1.2. Outlines of the openings: The windows are frameless, rectangular, and with flat arches. The windows of the vestibule are partially bricked up.
7.5.2.2. Decorative elements of the tier: The minimal decor is of unfinished brick with a simple design. In the south-western corner a pilaster is situated.
7.5.2.3. Finishing: The ground floor of the vestibule is blind plastered, and the upper floor of the vestibule shows un-plastered bricks. The part of the facade belonging to the women’s gallery is finished with lime plaster.
7.5.2.1.3. Frames of the openings: The window frames of the vestibule are wooden, 2-sashed, and simple. The window frames of the women’s section are wooden, 2-sashed, with a simple transom.
7.5.2.4. Vertical division of the tier: The outer staircase leads to the upper floor.
7.6-8. The Southern Façade:
Description of the façade: The southern facade includes 3 sections accordingly to the interior planning. The western section corresponds to the vestibule, the middle section corresponds to the women’s section, and the eastern section to the main hall.
7.6. The Western Section of the Southern Façade
7. Description of the façade: This part of the facade correspondents to the vestibule.
7.6.1. General measurements of the facade: The length of the western section is 2.78 m, the height up to the top of the wall is 6.4 m, and the height up to the top of the roof is 11.5 m.
7.6.2. Number of tiers of the façade: The western section has two tiers.
7.6.2.1. Description of a separate: The lower tier corresponds to a basement.
7.6.2.2. Description of a separate: On the upper floor there is an entrance into the women’s section.
7.6.2.1.1.1. Door / window openings: The ground floor has one window.
7.6.2.2.1.1. Door / window openings: The upper floor has 1 door.
7.6.2.1.2. Outlines of the openings: All the openings are rectangular.
7.6.2.1.1.3. Frames of the openings: The window is filled with glass blocks.
7.6.2.2.1.3. Frames of the openings: The frame of the door is one-sashed, wooden, simple, and modern.
7.6.2.1.3. Finishing: The brick of the ground floor is plastered.
7.6.2.2.3. Finishing: On the upper floor the bricks are not plastered.
7.6.2.5. Element separating the tiers: A ferro-concrete outer staircase leads from the ground floor to the upper floor.
7.7. The Middle Section of the Southern Façade
7. Description of the façade: This section of the facade corresponds to the women’s section.
7.7.1. General measurements of the facade: The length of the middle section is 15.11 m. The height up to the top of the wall is 5.4 m, and the height up to the top of the roof is 11.5 m.
7.7.2. Number of tiers of the façade: The facade has two tiers.
7.7.2.1.1. Door / window openings: The facade has 6 windows (3 in each tier).
7.7.2.1.1.2. Outlines of the openings: The windows of the ground floor are rectangular.
7.7.2.2.1.2. Outlines of the openings: The openings of the upper floor are the same as the windows of the middle section of the northern facade.
7.7.2.1.1.3. Frames of the openings: The frames of the windows of the ground floor are filled with glass blocks.
7.7.2.2.1.3. Frames of the openings: The frames of the windows of the upper floor are the same as those of the middle section of the northern facade. The windows of the upper floor have a simple plastered framing.
7.8. The Eastern Section of the Southern Façade
7. Description of the façade: This section of the facade corresponds to the main hall.
7.8.1. General measurements of the facade: The length of the eastern section is 14.39 m. The height from the conditional zero up to the top of the roof is 5.4 m, and the height from the conditional zero up to the finial of the roof is 11 m.
7.8.2. Number of tiers of the façade: This section of the facade has 1 tier.
7.8.2.1.1. Door / window openings: The facade has 4 windows and a door that are not original to the building.
7.8.2.1.2. Outlines of the openings: All the openings are rectangular.
7.8.2.1.3. Frames of the openings: The frames of the 3 westernmost windows are wooden, two-sashed, and simple. The frame of the door is wooden and two-sashed. The upper part of the 4th window, preserved after the making of the door, has a rectangular shape and is filled with glass blocks.
7.8.2.3. Finishing: The facade is plastered with mortar and painted white. The facade has two buttresses: the first one sits between middle and eastern section. The second one sits between the 1st and 2nd windows of the eastern section.
7.8.3. Crowning element of the facade: The crowning cornice is made of plastered brick and it looks like a shelf.
8. Description of the interior space, room by room:
The interior space of the synagogue includes 2 main volumes: the main hall and the women’s section.
8.1. Layout of the premises of the floor: The main hall is a big room (13.7 m x 11.3 m). The height of the hall is 4.65 m.
8.1.3. Pavement: The floors are constructed with wooden planks.
8.1.4. Walls: The walls are made of plastered brick, and painted white.
8.1.4.1. Location and number of the door/window openings: The eastern wall has 4 windows, the southern wall has 3, and the northern wall has 4. The windows in the women’s section on the upper floor of the western wall are bricked up. The southern wall and northern wall each have a door. The western wall contains the entrance to the basement room of the vestibule.
8.1.4.2. Outlines of the openings: The windows have flat arches and the doors are rectangular.
8.1.4.3. Frames of the openings: There are no decorative elements in the framings.
8.1.4.5. Decorative elements of the wall: The upper part of the walls is decorated with arced moldings.
8.1.4.6. Finishing of the wall: The walls are plastered with mortar and painted white.
8.1.5. Floor, spanning the room: The floors are wooden and the ceiling is paneled and finished with plaster.
8.1.5.1. Decorative elements of the ceiling: There are decorative elements on the ceiling that look like molded rosettes. One in the center of the ceiling, and one in each of the corners where the walls meet each other.
9. Torah ark
9.1. General state of preservation: The Torah ark was likely situated in the apse-like protrusion that is seen on the exterior. It has been bricked up. The bimah was not preserved.
9.2. Location of a niche or niches: The niche situated on the eastern wall is bricked up and is now flush with the plane of the eastern wall.
9.5. Sculptured decoration attached to the niche: On the sides of the niche on the eastern wall there are two columns.
5 image(s)
sub-set tree:
| 27 Kirova St.- 31 Izmailskaia St.