A synagogue in the central Polish town of Ostrow Wielkopolski has been judged the finest renovation project of 2010 in the fourth edition of the “Facade of the Year” contest.

The former house of worship, built in the Moorish Revival style in the years 1857-1860, is considered one of the most beautiful examples of its kind in Europe. It was designed by the German-Jewish architect Moritz Lande.

Ostrow's Jewish community was decimated during the war, but the synagogue survived the cataclysm as the Nazi occupiers used the building as a storage space for alcohol and food.

Ownership of the building was transferred to the city in 2006 after the Jewish community in nearby Wroclaw decided that other uses could be found for the synagogue, owing to the paucity of Jewish people in Ostrow.

Renovation began a year ago, co-funded by the European Union and local authorities.

The synagogue will now be used as a venue for concerts, exhibitions and theatrical performances, under the auspices of the Ostrowskie Cultural Centre. (nh)

Source: PAP