Negative:: Stone synagogue

European Jews

Volhynia province, Kremenetsky district, Shtetl of Wiśniowiec

1912-1914s

Glass

13 x 18

РЭМ 12588-13

Jewish ethnographic expedition of S. A. An-sky. A 18th century synagogue. Western façade. The Hebrew caption on the gate’s gable (top row) reads, “This is God’s gate; the righteous enter.” The stone synagogues built before the end of the 18th century belong to the so-called “defensive” or “fortress” type, since apart from their intended purpose they performed the functions of a fortress. Only rich communities, mainly in cities, could afford the construction of a stone synagogue.