The Riga Synagogue is the only synagogue in Latvia and is located in old Riga on Peitavas Street. At the end of the 19th century, a religious community was formed in Riga, which united the Jews living in the area. A plot of land was purchased for the building, and in 1903 a building permit was obtained.
The synagogue building was designed by two people: the famous architect and art historian Wilhelm Neumann and the novice architect Hermann Zeiberlich. The project was modified several times, but the building was completed in 1905.
The Riga Synagogue on Peytavas Street was one of the four synagogues in the capital. However, on 4 July 1941, after the capture of Riga by German troops, all synagogues except this one were burned down. It was not burnt down only because the building was located in Old Riga, and the arsonists feared that the whole Old Town would be burnt down. After the war, a cache of Torah scrolls was found in the eastern wall of the synagogue building. It is believed that the manuscripts were hidden by the priest of the Reform Church, Gustav Šaurums. This church is located not far from the synagogue.
During the Soviet period, the Riga Synagogue, one of the few functioning synagogues in the USSR, became the centre of Jewish life in the capital, despite all persecution and supervision. During Soviet times there was an unspoken ban on Jewish religious life, however, the synagogue did not cease its work. Money for repairs was practically not allocated, so the few members of the religious community repaired and maintained the building to the best of their abilities. The synagogue choir, whose leader was the famous cantor Abram Abrami, was known not only in the Jewish environment.
The Riga Synagogue on Peitavas Street is one of the few religious buildings in Riga that was built in Art Nouveau style. The interior, as well as the external décor, is decorated with ancient Egyptian and Babylonian motifs, more precisely with images of palm branches and lotus flowers. The interior of the Riga Synagogue is decorated with magnificent decorative stained glass windows.
The building was restored between 2007 and 2009. Most of the funds were provided by Euro-funds, but the state and about a hundred private individuals who made donations also provided financial support.
