Choral Synagogue, Moscow
Exterior of the Choral Synagogue in Moscow. Photo by Alan Cordova.
Front entrance with sculpture in the foreground. Photo by Alan Cordova.
Sculpture; interior during restorations (Aug 05). Photos by Alan Cordova.
Interactive satellite map of the Moscow Choral Synagogue. For a larger
view, see our Moscow Map or Google Earth download.
The Choral Synagogue in Moscow is an Orthodox synagogue built in 1886. Its position just behind, but not visible from, a major road reflects the ambiguous status of Moscow's Jewish community.
History
In 1881, 20,000 Jews were exiled to the Pale in the wave of a reaction that followed the assassination of their emancipator, Alexander II.
But the new regime found itself needing skilled workers and officials were happy to accept bribes, so Moscow's Jews were able to reestablish themselves. The Khoralnaya sinagoga was financed by Polyakov, a railway tycoon, and built in 1886.
Later, by bribing Moscow's governor, the Jewish community was able to erect a Star of David on the top of the Choral Synagogue. It could be seen above the rooftops, which Nicholas II remarked upon as he drove by during his coronation in 1896.
The "choral" part of the synagogue's name refers to the fact that it incorporates several different areas set aside for the use of Armenian, Georgian or Bukharan Jews visiting Moscow.
What to See
The exterior of the Choral Synagogue features a large silver dome, yellow-and-white walls and a Neo-Classical facade. Across the street from the entrance is a modern sculpture centered on a golden hand.
The recently-restored interior is a fine example of the Moorish style that can be seen in synagogues across Eastern Europe, with Arabesque moldings and murals.
Tourists are welcome to enter the synagogue during visiting hours (see below), provided they are dressed appropriately. Those who attend services are expected to know the ropes of an Orthodox Jewish service.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Московская Хopaльнaя Cинaгoга; Khoralnaya sinagoga; Choral Synagogue; Moscow Choral Synagogue |
| Type of site: | Synagogue |
| Faith: | Orthodox Judaism |
| Date: | 1886 |
| Location: | Belly Gorod, Ukrainian Quarter, NE of the Kremlin, Moscow |
| Address: | Bolshoy Spasoglinishchevskiy pereulok 10, Moscow |
| Phone: | 924-2424 925-2480 |
| Website: | www.synrus.ru |
| E-mail: | synrus@corbina.ru |
| Hours: | Mon-Fri 10-6 |
| Cost: | Free |
| Services: | Mon-Fri 8:30am; Sat & holidays 9am |
Sources
- The Rough Guide to Moscow, 4th ed. (April 2005), 142-43.
Travel Resources
- Moscow Interactive Map - Sacred Destinations
- Moscow Travel Forum - TripAdvisor
- Moscow Hotel Reviews - TripAdvisor
- Moscow Car Rentals - AutoEurope
