Remains of a synagogue destroyed by the Nazis in WWII were uncovered during building works in the Polish city of Otwock recently. The workers clearing the ground for a parking lot found the remains of the Goldberg Synagogue's walls and columns.
The structure situated across from the town hall was built in 1927 and could accommodate 650 worshipers. Before the war some 5,500 Jews lived in Otwock.
2 View gallery
Remains of a synagogue destroyed by the Nazi's uncovered in Otwock, Poland
(Photo: Mazowiecki Wojewódzki Konserwator Zabytków)
"This is quite a piece of history that was hidden there," local historian Sebastian Rakowski told local media. "It was discovered at the beginning of June. We knew that there was a synagogue there, but we didn't know if something was preserved underground since nothing was showing above ground," he said.
2 View gallery
Remains of a synagogue destroyed by the Nazi's uncovered in Otwock, Poland
(Photo: Mazowiecki Wojewódzki Konserwator Zabytków )
The synagogue was set on fire by the Nazis in 1939 destroying its library and seminary, but its Torah scrolls were saved. The remains will now be transferred to the city museum for further study.