The Great Leopoldstadt Temple
Der Große Leopoldstädter Tempel
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Between 1854 and 1858 a monumental and magnificent synagogue was built in Tempelgasse 3-5 in Vienna’s second district ‘Leopoldstadt’. The architect was Ludwig Förster, who also designed the Great Synagogue in Budapest and many other outstanding Viennese buildings.
The Tempelgasse synagogue, also known as ‘the Great Leopoldstadt Temple’ was the largest synagogue in Austria, with a capacity of 2,200 seats and 1,500 standing places. Its first rabbi was the liberally-oriented Adolf Jellinek.
The façade was richly decorated with red and yellow bricks, the interior contained elaborate decorations, mosaics, stucco work, masonry and beautiful stained glass windows.
On 17 August, 1917, a fire broke out after a ceremony organised by Jewish soldiers in honour of Emperor Karl I’s birthday. The building was severely damaged, and renovation work was only completed in 1921.
During the so-called “Kristallnacht” the Leopoldstadt Temple was set on fire and destroyed, leaving only the two wings intact. The southern wing, which housed the famous library of the Vienna Jewish Community, was damaged during the war and had to be demolished in 1951. The northern wing is the only remaining part of the original synagogue.
Since 1997 ESRA has been located on this site. The white columns at the entrance to the square were designed by architect Martin Kohlbauer to indicate the impressive height of the original building.
Photos- The Leopoldstadt Temple, contemporary postcard.
Jewish Museum Vienna, Stern Collection. - The temple interior after the renovation of 1917 – 1921. Water colour by Richard Moser, 1922.
Jewish Museum Vienna, Richard Moser Collection. - The Leopoldstadt Temple. Lithograph by C. Waage.
Jewish Museum Vienna, Genée Collection. - Computer-assisted reconstruction of the Leopoldstadt Temple
M.A. thesis by Daniela Wallmüller. - Computer-assisted reconstruction of the Leopoldstadt Temple
M.A. thesis by Daniela Wallmüller.