Obj. ID: 15976
Jewish Architecture  Description of the Synagogue in Chechelnyk, Ukraine, 17??

To the main object: Synagogue in Chechelnyk, Ukraine

Name of the place: Chechelnik

Name of the synagogue: Synagogue in Chechelnyk

Location: Ukraine; Vinnits’ka; Chechelnyk (Chechelnik)

In May 1998 the architects I. Fugol, I. Czurilik, P. Khmelevskii completed the field documentation and the measurements. O. Boiko wrote the description.

1. History of the place:

1.2. Date when the town law was granted: In 1635 the settlement was granted township.

1.3. The first record of the Jews in the place: Jews probably settled in Chechel'nik in the first half of the 17th century, when the town extensively developed.  The chronicle Tit Hayaven by Rabbi Shmuel-Faibish from Vienna, mentions what is probably Chechel’nik under the name of Chelnik in the list of Jewish communities destroyed in 1648.

1.4.2. Foundation (existence) of synagogues, beit-midrashes, yeshibots, orphanages, old people's homes, cheders, craft schools, cemeteries, hospitals, mikvaot, burial societies, social organizations, sport clubs, publishing houses etc.: This synagogue building and some typical Jewish houses and a Jewish cemetery still exist in Chechel’nik.

2. Topography: The building stands independent in the center the shtetl.

3. General state of preservation: Satisfactory.

4. History of the building: The building might have been changed several times. Presently, the building is not in use. The last known use was for a furniture shop.

4.2. When was it built: It was built around the 18th century.

5. General description of the exterior of the building: The building is compact, constructed with brick and stone, and covered with a complicated roof. On the northern and the southern facades two synagogue volumes can be traced. The architectural renaissance decor of the main facade is distinguished by its refinement.

5.1. Division into the volumes: There are two volumes: the western volume contains the vestibule and synagogue rooms and the eastern volume contains the prayer hall.

5.2. The main and side entrances: The main entrance is on the western facade, the big opening on the southern facade of the western volume which apparently used to be the entrance via outer stairs up to the women gallery, is presently bricked up, the southern facade has 4 lately – made entrances in the part of the main hall and the northern facade has one entrance.

5.3. Surrounding buildings: On east and north lately-built garages are adjacent to the building.

5.4. The later extensions and reconstructed parts: The main volume has been saved in its initial form.

 5.5. The walls: The walls are built of stone, plastered, the frieze is built of bricks and is situated on the western facade.

5.6. The attic wall: There is no attic.

5.7. The roof: The roof is complicated and is covered with slate.

5.8. The general impression of the synagogue and its attachments: A building with refined architectural decor.

5.8.1. Impression of an expert, as an architect: A stylized, baroque building with a renaissance western facade.  

5.8.2. Personal impression of an expert, as a human being: An interesting old building.

5.9. Architectural style of the building: Renaissance, baroque.

5.9.1. Architectural style of the epoch: Baroque.

6. General description of the ground plan:

6.1. Rectangular or oblique outline of the plan: Rectangular.

6.2. General exterior measurements: 23.8 m x 14.91 m.

6.3. Orientation of the ground plan: Traditionally orientated (facing the east).

7. Descriptions of the facades:

7.1. The Northern Façade:

7.1.1. General measurements of the façade: The length of the façade is 23.8 m. The height from the conditional zero up to the cornice is 8.48 m and up to the top of the roof is 12.78 m.

7.1.2. Number of tiers of the façade: The building has two tiers.

7.1.2.1.1. Door/window openings: There are 4 openings that have been bricked up.

7.1.2.1.2. Outlines of the openings: The original windows were large and with flat arches.

7.1.2.2. Decorative elements of the tier: There is no decoration preserved on this façade.

7.1.2.3. Finishing: The façade is plastered and in the process of falling apart.

7.1.2.4. Vertical division of the tier: There is a pilaster on the eastern corner of the facade.

7.1.2.5. Horizontal division of the tiers: None.

7.1.3. Crowning element of the façade: The facade is finished by a molded limestone cornice.

7.2. The Eastern Façade:

7.2.1. General measurements of the façade: The length of the façade is 15.54 m. The height from the conditional zero up to the cornice is 8.48 m and up to the top of the roof is 12.78 m.

7.2.2.1.1. Door/window openings: There are 2 windows.

7.2.2.1.2. Outlines of the openings: The windows have flat arches.

7.2.2.1.3. Frames of the openings: The frames of the windows are new, wooden, and two-sashed.

7.2.2.1.4. The exterior decorative framings of the openings: The windows are decorated by baroque limestone framings.

7.2.2.2. Decorative elements of the tier: None.

7.2.2.3. Finishing: The façade is plastered.

7.2.2.4. Vertical division of the tier: The eastern façade has 2 pilasters (one on each corner).

7.2.3. Crowning element of the façade: The facade is finished by a molded limestone cornice.

7.3. The Southern Façade:

7.3.1. General measurements of the façade: The length of the façade is 23.8 m. The height from the conditional zero up to the cornice is 8.48 m and up to the top of the roof is 12.78 m.

7.3.2. Number of tiers of the façade: The building has two tiers.

7.3.2.1.1. Door/window openings: There are 3 windows and a door on the lower tier and three windows on the upper tier.

7.3.2.1.2. Outlines of the openings: All the openings on the lower tier are rectangular. The windows on the upper tier have flat arches.

7.3.2.1.3. Frames of the openings: The frames of the windows on the lower tier are wooden with one panel. The frames of the windows on the upper tier are new, wooden, and two-sashed.

7.3.2.1.4. The exterior decorative framings of the openings: The windows are decorated by baroque limestone framings.

7.3.2.2. Decorative elements of the tier: There is a pilaster on the eastern corner of the façade.

7.3.2.3. Finishing: The façade is plastered.

7.3.2.4. Vertical division of the tier: There is a pilaster on the eastern corner of the façade.

7.3.2.5. Horizontal division of the tiers: There is molding separating the two tiers.

7.3.3. Crowning element of the façade: The facade is finished by a molded limestone cornice.

7.4. The Western Façade: The facade is emphasized by a beautiful portal, which is decorated by limestone molded framing with a keystone and looks like a corbel. The tiers of the facade are emphasized by a molded cornice with a segment curve over the portal. The windows are finished with flat arches and are decorated with limestone framings and molded windowsills. Over the central window the detail (that looks like a fan) has been preserved. The pilasters are decorated by mirrors.

7.4.1. General measurements of the façade: The length of the façade is 15.54 m. The height from the conditional zero up to the cornice is 8.48 m and up to the top of the roof is 12.78 m.

7.4.2. Number of tiers of the façade: The building has two tiers.

7.4.2.1.1. Door/window openings: On the lower tier a window has been changed into a door. The door is flanked by 2 windows. On the upper tier there are three windows that have been bricked up.

7.4.2.1.2. Outlines of the openings: On the lower tier the door has a semicircular arch and the windows are rectangular. The windows of the upper tier have flat arches.

7.4.2.1.3. Frames of the openings: The door frame is two-sashed and wooden and the windows on the lower tier are wooden.

7.4.2.1.4. The exterior decorative framings of the openings: The framings of the western facade are renaissance with molded window sills. On the framing of the door there is decorative carving that looks like a fan, has been preserved. The main entrance is decorated with a limestone framing with a keystone looks like a corbel.

7.4.2.2. Decorative elements of the tier: The western façade is the most decorated of the entire building. It has 4 decorated pilasters, an intermediate cornice between the tiers, and an intricate final cornice.

7.4.2.3. Finishing: The facade is plastered and it is severely damaged.

7.4.2.4. Vertical division of the tier: The surface of the facade is divided by 2 pilasters and framed by 1 on each corner of the façade.

7.4.2.5. Horizontal division of the tiers: There is an intermediate cornice between the two tiers.

7.4.3. Crowning element of the façade: The facade is finished by a molding limestone cornice with a brick frieze that is decorated by small niches.

8. Description of the interior space room by room: The interior space of the synagogue is divided in the traditional fashion of a prayer hall and the synagogue rooms.

8.1.3. Pavement:

8.1.4. Walls: The walls are new, constructed with stone, plastered, and painted white.

8.1.4.1. Location and number of the door/window openings: The door and window openings are consistent with the façade descriptions.

8.1.5. Floor spanning the room: The floors are new and smooth.

9. Torah Ark: The interiors have been changed. The decor is no longer exist. The Torah niche is bricked up.

10. Bimah: There is no bimah.