GROUND PLAN


 

 
 
  c. 1270 – early Gothic double-nave of the synagogue
 
  c. 1300 – southern vestibule and western annex for women
 
  14th century / early 15th century – entrance hall to the women’s section
 
  1731/32 – northern women’s section
 
 
The spiritual aspect of the synagogue interior is indicated by Hebrew inscriptions and biblical verses written in an abbreviated form on the walls:
 
1 Southern vestibule to the right of the portal: “Revere God and observe His commandments! For this applies to all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
2 Front of the vaulting on the eastern wall of the main nave: “I am ever mindful of the Lord’s presence.” (Psalm 16:8).
3 Talmudic statement from the tractate Berachot by Rabbi Eliezer “Know thee, before whom thou standest...” (Berachot 28b).
4 Northern wall: “There shall be one Lord, and his name one” (Zechariah 14:9); this quotation is also a chronogram that recalls the repairs to the synagogue that took place in 1618.
5 Western wall of the main hall: “He who answers Amen is greater than he who eulogizes” (a statement by Rabbi Jose from the tractate Berachot 53a Berachot's is written in an abbreviated form).
6 Other abbreviations on the western wall recall the biblical verse “Shun evil and do good” (Psalm 34:15)
7 and the verse “Yes, God is truly good to Israel” (Psalm 73:1).
8 Southern wall and front portal: “For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation” (Psalms 132:13); this quotation is also a chronogram that recalls the repairs to the synagogue that took place in 1618.