Synagogue in St. Gallen

The Synagogue in St. Gallen is the house of worship of the local Jewish community, standing at Frongartenstrasse 18. Built in 1880–1881 in a Moorish-Byzantine style, it stands out among the city's more familiar Western church architecture and is listed in the Swiss inventory of cultural property.

What should I know about it?

The synagogue was designed by the firm Chiodera & Tschudy, which a few years later also produced the synagogue in Zurich (1884). It was commissioned by the local Israelite community and consecrated in September 1881. The present community was formally constituted in 1864, its first members having moved to St. Gallen from nearby Hohenems in Austria.

What does the building look like?

The sanctuary rises over a square plan. A central dome crowns the middle, with four smaller domes at the corners. This arrangement gives the building a compact, symmetrical silhouette that sets it apart from its surroundings. The interior keeps its fully painted decoration from the time of construction, and the prayer hall seats about 250 people.

Why the Oriental style?

In the second half of the 19th century, an orientalising mixed style combining Byzantine and Moorish motifs was popular in Switzerland. Synagogues were built in this manner in Geneva (1859), Basel (1868), St. Gallen (1881), Zurich (1884) and Bern (1906). The Geneva synagogue is regarded as a model for later buildings in this spirit, including the one in St. Gallen. Oriental forms recalled the community's heritage while giving the building a dignified presence in the cityscape.

Restoration

The synagogue was restored in 2004. The interior decor was left unchanged, so visitors can see the decoration in a form close to the original.

Can I go inside?

The synagogue is an active place of prayer, so access to the interior depends on arrangements with the community. Check current entry rules and any security procedures before you go. The exterior can be viewed freely, and the domes and richly decorated facade photograph well.

How to plan a visit

The synagogue lies in central St. Gallen, within walking distance of the Old Town and the famous abbey complex with its library, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It pairs well with a stroll through the historic centre, where you can compare three eras and styles: the medieval and baroque abbey, townhouses with oriel windows, and a 19th-century Oriental-style house of worship. A quarter of an hour is enough to see the exterior, though architecture and Jewish-history enthusiasts may want longer.

Frequently asked questions

When was the St. Gallen synagogue built? In 1880–1881, with consecration in September 1881.

Who designed it? The architecture firm Chiodera & Tschudy.

What style is the building? Moorish-Byzantine, on a square plan with a central dome and four corner domes.

How many people does the prayer hall hold? About 250.

When was it restored? In 2004; the interior decor was left unchanged.

Where is it? At Frongartenstrasse 18 in St. Gallen, Switzerland.