Here’s an architectural sight you don’t see everyday ! I was particularly attacted to the colors of this beautiful structure.

Jubilee Synagogue also known as the Jerusalem Synagogue because of its location on Jerusalem Street in Prague, Czech Republic.

It was built in 1906, designed by Wilhelm Stiassny and named in honor of the silver Jubilee of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria.

The synagogue is designed in Art Nouveau and Moorish styles. It was lately renovated and still serves religious purposes.

The facade and form of the synagogue are a hybridized blend of Moorish revival and art nouveau, with keyhole arches on the facade and columns supporting a three-floor building. The Mudejar red-and-white coursing of the stone facade is particularly striking.

The Mudéjar style, is a symbiosis of techniques and ways of understanding architecture resulting from Muslim, Christian and Jewish cultures living side by side, emerged as an architectural style in the 12th century on the Iberian peninsula.. It is characterised by the use of brick as the main material. Mudéjar did not involve the creation of new shapes or structures (unlike Gothic or Romanesque), but reinterpreting Western culture styles through Islamic influences.

Inside, the Moorish elements are overlaid with brilliantly painted Art nouveau patterning.

It’s hard to believe that a place like this would have been off limits to the Jewish community during the Nazi occupation of Prague.

It is the largest Jewish place of worship in Prague, and by far the most colorful. Though there are a number of synagogues in Prague, particularly in the Jewish quarter called Josefov, this one is by far the most architecturally stunning, unique not only in Prague but in Central Europe.

I love how the light hits the beautiful blue stained glass windows.

Here’s a closer view of the blue stained glass. I love it because it reminds me of Chagall stained glass.

A front view

Notice all the beautiful detail in the ceiling also. There is also a skylight.

Another view of above.

Another view from the street. I find the color combinations very interesting.

Aischet Chayil – Romiel Daniel

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on May 30, ’08 I was attracted to the colors first and the inside is just beautiful !

deletereply starfishred wrote on May 31, ’08 wonderful pictures I was there once about 5 yrs. ago and it is truely a sight.

deletereply jayaramanms wrote on May 31, ’08 Wow. Beautiful interiors of the synagogue, brilliant colors, excellent Building. It is a great selection and I love it. Thanks for sharing Lauritasita. My blog on Madurai Meenakshi temple in India is at – http://jayaramanms.multiply.com/journal/item/182 and photos in my album at – http://jayaramanms.multiply.com/photos/album/17. Please see.

deletereply nemo4sun wrote on May 31, ’08 wow!

deletereply vickiecollins wrote on May 31, ’08 Incredible pictures, they are truely remarkable. I agree with you about the way the light hits. Wonderful. Oh and what is also worthy of comment, I think, is how many of our entries are some sort of religious buidling. Jayraminam with a Temple, you with a synagogue and me and others with churches or chapels. Shows where a lot of the creativity goes. check mine out if you get time. http://vickiecollins.multiply.com/journal/item/355/Sunday_Art_Tour—Interiors

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on May 31, ’08 Hi vickiecollins, thanks for your comment. Yes, I agree that religious buildings seem to be one of the most interesting structures. Heidi, Did you say you were there ? Wow ! Is it as colorful in person ? I’d love to hear about it !

deletereply vickiecollins wrote on May 31, ’08, edited on May 31, ’08 Lauritasita, yes, it is pretty much as the pictures show. I didnt see behind the organ of course. In fact, the last two pictures were more like what the casual visitor would see, as opposed to part of those conducting services. I actually believe that I took some pictures while, which would have been more of the sides and back of the inside of the “chapel”. To me calling it a chapel is very hard, because to me a CHAPEL is a smaller version of a church. All Saints Chapel does NOT fit that discription. Any pictures that I would have taken would have been the “gothic??” aspects, the stained glass windows etc on the sides and the back. Memory is not that clear, I am sorry to say. I almost wanted to drive down there today to take some pictures and visit the place again so I could give a clearer discription..but it is about 100 miles, and with gas being what it is here…not really conductive to such a fast and quick day trip just for a blog..LOL

deletereply philsgal7759 wrote on May 31, ’08 You can really see the influence of the 3 main Czech cultures .I love the airy feel. Truly beautiful

deletereply wickedlyinnocent wrote on May 31, ’08 I’ve been there too, it’s beautiful. We have plenty of Moorish and Mudéjar here in Portugal too.The façade is striking, it reminds me of the interior of the mosque of Cordoba in Spain and of a church in Southern Portugal, the Moorish influence. The colours are those of another well known building in Lisbon, Moorish style too. And yes, there’s something of Chagall in the stained glass.

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on May 31, ’08 I love the color of the stained glass against the beige interior patterns. So lovely.

deletereply asolotraveler wrote on May 31, ’08 the colors are breathtaking – like the qaccompanying music too! well done!

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Jun 1, ’08 Hi asolo, I miss hearing from you ! Thanks for your comment.

deletereply jayaramanms wrote on Jun 1, ’08 For this week’s Art Sunday, I have posted another blog on the paintings of master French painter Leon Jean Basile Perrault at link – http://jayaramanms.multiply.com/journal/item/185 and his paintings Album at – http://jayaramanms.multiply.com/photos/album/18. Plese see.

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Jun 1, ’08 Thank you for telling me, jay. I will come over to visit.

deletereply sweetpotatoqueen wrote on Jun 1, ’08, edited on Jun 1, ’08 What a gorgeous structure this is. The colors of the stained glass are so beautiful and bright,unlike many of the stained glass of places that are found in many places of worship. This was wonderful…like actually visiting this beautful synagogue without the plane trip! Thank you!

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Jun 1, ’08 I’m so glad you enjoyed your stay, sweetpotato !

deletereply forgetmenot525 wrote on Jun 2, ’08 that is so beautiful, bneautiful colours and design,I love the fact the decorations continue outside of the building as well as inside. Must be very noticable in the street http://forgetmenot525.multiply.com/journal/item/34/Art_Sunday_Interiors

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Jun 2, ’08 Thank you for your comment, forgetmenot. I’ll come by soon to see your post !