Great Synagogue in Orla
Object Detail
Building Date
Second quarter of the 17th century
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction Dates
late 18th century; 19th century; 1986-1988
Architect/ Maker
Unknown (Unknown)
Material/Technique
Construction Material
Brick
Summary and Remarks
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
In February 2025, the synagogue was shortlisted for Europa Nostra’s 7 Most Endangered program. [Jewish Heritage Europe]
Condition
Present Usage
Museum
Present Usage Details
Historical significance: Event/Period
Historical significance: Collective Memory/Folklore
The legend states that the synagogue initally was a Calvinist church and was bought by the Jews.
Historical significance: Person
Architectural Significance: Style
Architectural Significance: Artistic Decoration
Interior painting. Wooden ans stucco ark.
Urban significance
Significance Rating
3 (National)
Condition of Building Fabric
D (Very bad)
Bibliography
Pinkas hakehilot: Polin, vol. 8: mehozot vilna, byalistok, novogrudek (Jerusalem, 2005), p. 105;
Hatsfirah, 23.10.1878, p. 315;
http://cbj.jhi.pl/documents/809735/5/
"A synagogue in Orla (Spółdzielcza St. 2),"
Virtual Shtetl (POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews), https://sztetl.org.pl/de/stadte/o/682-orla/112-synagogen-gebetshauser-und-andere/87554-synagoga-w-orli-ul-spoldzielcza-2.
Bergman, Eleonora and Jan Jagelski. Zachowane synagogi i domy modlitwy w Polsce. Katalog (Warsaw: Jewish Historical Institute, 1996), p. 97 with ill..
Burchard, Przemysław. Pamiątki i zabytki kultury Żydowskiej w Polsce (Warsaw: Burchard Edition, 1990), p. 63.
"Orla Synagogue placed on 2025 list of Seven Most Endangered Monuments and Cultural Heritage Sites in Europe,"
Jewish Heritage Europe, https://jewish-heritage-europe.eu/2025/03/18/poland-update-orla/.
Piechotka, Maria and Kazimierz. Bramy Nieba: Bóżnice murowane na ziemiach dawnej Rzeczypospolitej (Warsaw, 1999)., pp. 362-4 with ills..
Wisniewski, Tomasz, Jewish Bialystok and Surroundings in Eastern Poland: A Guide for Yesterday and Today (Ipswich, Massachusetts, 1998), p. 96 with ill..
Wisniewski, Tomasz, Synagogues and Jewish Communities in the Bialystok Region: Jewish Life in Eastern Europe before 1939 = Bóżnice Białostocczyny: Hearthland of the Jewish Life - Synagogues and Jewish Communities in Białystok Region (Bialystok, 1992), p. 183 with ill., ills. on p. 34-37.
Short Name
Full Name
Volume
Page
Biography
Photograph Copyright
Center for Jewish Art
Photographer
Photograph Date
1995
Remarks
0 Coordinates: 52.704151, 23.334213