Great synagogue of Zamość

Zamość is a special city in its history and culture. Its founder - Jan Zamoyski, Great Ottoman of the Polish Crown – wanted the city to become perfect both in its arrangement and social composition. In order to promote the economic development of the city, he recruited merchants and specialized craftsmen – Armenians, Greeks and Jews –. The testimony of this great multicultural past of the city is the Renaissance synagogue, which is preserved to this day. Immediately after its construction, Jews settled in the city. The Jewish privilege, issued in 1588, gave them the same rights as other citizens. They could own real estate throughout the city. They were guaranteed security and freedom of worship. They were given the right to build a synagogue, a mikvah, a cemetery, and to establish a school. They were even allowed to carry weapons. Zamoyski wanted Sephardic Jews, that is, from Südeuropa, to settle in Zamość. He hoped that thanks to them it would be possible not only to revive trade with the Ottoman Empire, but also to help improve diplomatic relations. Jews settled next to the Small Market (Solny). Soon the Jewish Street was established there and the first synagogue was built. A much more prestigious brick building was erected at the beginning of the 17th century. The entrance is below the street level. In many cities it was forbidden to build synagogues higher than Christian houses of worship or the surrounding houses. In order to obtain a magnificent building without violating the regulations, the synagogue was built in a hollow and the ground was dug out for it. During the Second World War, the Germans destroyed the synagogue and built a carpenter's workshop and a stable. After the end of the war, the synagogue was misused as a warehouse and then as a library.