Former Synagogue

Historical site

The lone Art Nouveau synagogue in Lower Austria. Rich painting in ornamental patterns by the Wiener Werkstätte.

Former synagogue

Built in 1913 according to plans by the architects Theodor Schreier and Viktor Postelberg, the synagogue was badly damaged during the Kristallnacht (November 9/10, 1938). After 1945 the building was returned to the IKG Vienna - an IKG St. Pölten no longer existed. The once flourishing Jewish community life in St. Pölten was completely destroyed, only a few survivors returned to St. Pölten.

Extensive renovation work began in the summer of 1980 because selling or demolishing the dilapidated building was out of the question for reasons of monument protection. Since the stencils for the pattern of the mural were found in the dome, it was restored to its full glory.

During the renovation, however, the ritual hand wash basin and the steps in front of the Torah ark were removed and the Hebrew verses in the medallions were not reconstructed. The colorful Art Nouveau stained glass windows could no longer be saved under the circumstances of the time.

The Institute for Jewish History in Austria has been located in the Kantorhaus since 1988, which uses the synagogue room for events.

Today, the former synagogue is a memorial that commemorates a lively Jewish community before 1938 and its destruction by the National Socialists.

opening hours

*Again from 19 April 2024 - end of October.
Tue - Fri : 10 - 17.00 h
Sat, Sun, Fei: 10 - 18.00 h

Entrance: Lederergasse 12
Please send enquiries by email to the office

There are guided tours on the Jewish theme and the house itself.

There is also one special exhibition per year on the 1st floor - this will open on 16 May - the theme is "Movement" (in conjunction with the "Flight" exhibition at the Museum NÖ).

  • Admission price for individual customers: € 5,- p.p. 
  • For groups of 20 persons or more: € 4,- p.p.
  • Guided tours: under 20 persons flat rate: € 90,-
  • For groups of 20 persons or more: € 4.50 p.p.

Stones of Remembrance:

575 men, women and children of the Jewish cultural community of St. Pölten, who are known by name, were murdered in the Holocaust. In 2018, as a sign of individual remembrance, stones of remembrance were laid for these people.

You can find more information here: Stones of remembrance