Subotica Synagogue, part 2

This is a side window in the balcony...quite lovely don't you think? I got a close up view. The craftsmanship is flawless. Below is a window at the back of the balcony. This is an exceptional piece of work!

No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you! These side seats in the balcony are stairstepped. There are no bad views up here!!! Each seat has a lockbox where you can keep your prayerbook, tallit, etc.

Subotica Synagogue Interior part 1

Subotica Serbia Synagogue Glass and more!

This is a remarkable synagogue. It was given to the City of Subotica (pronounce Soo-boh-tih-tza) a few years ago because the maintenance expense was just too great for the 200 Jews who live in the area. This town was once part of Yugoslavia. The restoration of the building cost the government over 2 million Euros. It serves now as a museum and concert space most of the year, but is used for high holiday services. It is the second largest synagogue in Europe. It was designed by a Hungarian architect JAKAB, DEZSÖ who wanted to build a Temple Palace. It is an extraordinaty piece of architecture that feels less palatial and more of an inviting space for prayer. It is quite showy and extravagant. It's something I think the Jews of the area wanted as a show piece...kind of a "we're Jews, we're here, we can create beautiful things....deal with it." There were seats for 950 men and 530 seats for women. Touring the building now, it isn't clear which area was which...there is no obvious mechitzah. Stay tuned for interior shots...probably tomorrow!

Fancy Door!

I love creative/artistic doorways. This is the entrance to an apartment building in central Subotica, Serbia. Ok, there is no colorful glass, but there is glass and it fits in beautifully with this design!

Sarajevo City Hall Glass

City Hall in Sarajevo is a remarkable building. It was built in the 1890's. In 1992 this Moorish inspired building came under artillery fire and and building sustained severe damage. The library contained within the building was completely destroyed. Initial repairs funded by Austria began in 1996 and later in 1999 THhe European Commission paid for some additional structural support. As is typical in cases of emergency repairs, these repairs were done in a hurry without sufficient planning. The building was closed and effectively sealed, creating a very dry enviroment that ultimately caused even more damage to the facade and the roof! Long story shortened...City government became dedicated to the restoration of the building.The World Monuments Watch became involved. More funding came from several European countries and the building reopened in 2014. This is my second visit to this astonishing building and my second time in this amazing city. I hope to return. The stained glass dome hovers over the circular lobby at the entrance to the building. THe basement contains a museum documenting the violence that was brought to this beautiful city. Sarajevo is alive and proudly proclaims it's recovery efforts after the many tragic events that occured there.