Kedainiai Synagogue Complex

Kėdainiai has a synagogue complex that consists of two synagogues: The Great Synagogue and the New Synagogue. The Great Synagogue was built in 1784, replacing a wooden synagogue that burned down during the fire. In the first half of the 19th century, the Jewish community continued to grow, and the need to build additional prayer houses arose. The New Synagogue was built in 1837. On its facade, you can see some features of historicist architecture. Before one hundred years, this place looked different as it was an epicenter of the Jewish community. The New Synagogue housed a custody place. Also, in front of the synagogue, a butcher’s house stood, which was connected to the synagogue by an arc. Since 2002 the building of the New Synagogue is used as a multicultural center, where people have an opportunity to get acquainted with the history of the Jewish community and attend various cultural events. While The Great Synagogue, during the Soviet times, experienced serious reconstructions, and the interior of the synagogue was redesigned. Now the synagogue houses an art school.