White Synagogue in Joniškis

The White Synagogue in Joniškis is an Ashkenazi synagogue built in brick between 1864 and 1865. The baroque and neo-classical synagogue has had to be renovated several times since the post-war period, most recently for its transformation into a cultural centre.

About this building

For more information visit on this building visit http://historicsynagogueseurope.org/browser.php?mode=set&id=8855

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Joniškis History and Culture Archives

Red Synagogue in Joniškis

The Red Synagogue (Great Beit Midrash) in Joniškis is an Ashkenazi synagogue built in brick in 1911. In the Soviet period the Red Synagogue was used for storage and later converted into a foundry with an apartment in the women's section. In the 1970s the former synagogue housed a youth club. The building's plan was altered; nevertheless, the façades remained almost unchanged, and the Torah ark and the details of interior painting were still extant. In 2007 the building lacked proper roofing; the western part was used as a temporary storage space. In 2008 plans were made for restoring the collapsed walls. The synagogue is now a museum.

Wikimedia Commons/Normunds K

Mežmuiža Church

The Mežmuiža Church is an Evangelical Lutheran church built in 1648. The first wooden prayer house was built here around 1490-1530 by monks, calling for the adoption of Catholicism. In 1590 a stone church replaced it. In 1648, the church was given a tiled roof, a tower was built and consecrated on 14th August. In 1699 the church was renovated, a new pulpit and a baroque altar were installed. In 1880 the church was rebuilt. In 1983, the congregation left the church, it was destroyed, part of the interior was transferred to the castle museum Rundāle.

Dāvis Kļaviņš on flickr

Pakruojis wooden synagogue

The Pakruojis wooden synagogue was built in 1801, making it the oldest wooden synagogue in Lithuania and Poland, where they were once numerous. In 1895, metal bars were affixed to the synagogue to prevent the church from collapsing. The church in now used as a library.