Synagogue of the Jewish Community of Zagreb

The Synagogue of the Jewish Community of Zagreb is the active place of worship on Palmotićeva Street in Zagreb, Croatia. It sits within the complex at number 16, which serves as the headquarters of the city's Jewish community. For anyone interested in Jewish history in Central Europe, it is one of the most meaningful stops in the Croatian capital.

What is this place?

The synagogue operates inside a building that has long been the hub of community life. The same address houses the community offices, a Holocaust research and documentation centre, a kindergarten, an art gallery and rooms for gatherings and events. It is also home to the Ladislav Šik Library, regarded as the largest Jewish library in the Balkans. The site therefore works as a religious, educational and cultural centre at once.

What is the history of the community?

The Jewish Community of Zagreb was founded in 1806 and grew to be the largest in Croatia. In 1867 it gained a grand Moorish Revival synagogue designed by Franjo Klein, standing on what is today Praška Street. That building was demolished at the end of 1941 under the Ustasha regime. The land was returned to the community in 1999, and plans for a new Jewish complex there have been discussed since.

What happened during and after the war?

In April 1941, German security police entered the community's premises at Palmotićeva 16, confiscated its property and sealed the building. After the war only this building was handed back to the community; other communal properties were returned gradually from the 1990s. In August 1991 the building was badly damaged in a bombing attack, and it reopened in September 1992 after repairs.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, if you care about Jewish heritage, twentieth-century history, or less obvious corners of Zagreb. Keep in mind that this is a living institution rather than a museum, so respect its character and any entry rules.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the synagogue? On Palmotićeva Street in Zagreb, at number 16, inside the Jewish community complex.

Is it the same synagogue that once stood on Praška Street? No. The monumental 1867 synagogue on Praška was demolished in 1941. The current one operates in the community's headquarters on Palmotićeva.

What else is in the building? Community offices, a Holocaust documentation centre, a kindergarten, a gallery, meeting rooms and the Ladislav Šik Library.

Do I need to arrange a visit in advance? Entry rules are set by the community, so check its current information or contact it directly before you go.

Who is the place for? Anyone seeking to learn about the Jews of Croatia, the community's fate during the Second World War and its life today.

Summing up

The synagogue on Palmotićeva combines prayer, remembrance of the Holocaust and the daily life of a community that has existed in Zagreb for more than two centuries. While you are there, take a short walk around the neighbourhood to trace the past and present geography of Jewish Zagreb.