Vienna City Temple: Restoration Begins

The Vienna City Temple is being renovated. Initial construction measures were taken on Friday. The largest synagogue in Austria is expected to be fully restored by September 2026, just in time for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. "The City Temple is a landmark of Vienna, the Jewish community, and the entire republic," said IKG Secretary General Benjamin Nägele at a press event. The renovation will cost around 10.5 million euros. Two-thirds will be covered by public funds.

Vienna City Temple turns 200 years old

Today, the City Temple is the center of the Jewish community. It survived as the only larger Viennese synagogue during the November Pogrom of 1938. In 2026, it will celebrate its 200th anniversary. Almost 40 years after the last renovation, the City Temple is now to be "made future-proof for the next 200 years," said Nägele. The work is being planned and supervised by the architectural firm "KENH" in coordination with the Federal Monuments Office.

While the synagogue, the foyer, and the vestibule are being remodeled, the adjacent community center will be used as a prayer room. "This has been long prepared and will start next week," emphasized Chief Rabbi Jaron Engelmayer. Subsequently, in a second phase, the community center and the facade will be renovated. Plans include the establishment of an information point for visitors, the creation of additional barrier-free spaces and restrooms, and the expansion of the prayer pulpit. In 2023, more than 12,000 people visited the City Temple as part of guided tours.

Support from a prominent artist

The project is supported by a prominent artist. On Friday, Gottfried Helnwein presented pictures of ten Jewish children in the synagogue. One of the children will be painted by Helnwein in a large portrait, and the painting will be auctioned next year in favor of the restoration. One-third of the renovation costs will be covered by the federal government, another third by the city of Vienna. The final third is to be raised through fundraising activities, among other means.

(APA/Red)

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