Synagogue jam session

If architecture is music in stone than synagogue architecture is jazz, a jam session of distant styles full of creative flashes. Not bound by an official look it is sparklingly unexpected.

Take a looks at this wonderful photo collection of synagogues in Russia.

A mini tour: We start at my adopted town of Kamenets-Podolsk in Baal Shem�s Podolia. The region kept moving from Turks to Poles. The architecture is a fusion of East and West. The tower on the left is a reminder that this town was always a frontline fortress. Even the Shule�s roof is reminiscent of the Kremlin-like fortress walls.

Some of the renovations are horrendous. As an example take a look at southern Kherson Synagogue before, elegant proportions with a touch of Polish baroque. And a disappointing after.

Northern Kastroma is a wonderfully cozy, homey and inviting. Jugendstil wrought iron entrance tastefully incorporated into traditional Russian style, once again hacked after renovation.

Kuba in Azerbaijan. Islamic overtones.

Oni in a superb Georgian style. These people knew how to work stone.

And finally my old stomping ground before it was burned down. I can still smell that herring served with vodka right behind the window above the entrance. Outch.

A great site to explore.