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Origin and history

The synagogue of Guebwiller, located 7 rue de l'Ancien-Hôpital, was built between 1869 and 1872 by architect Hartmann in a Romano-Byzantin style. It replaces a building from the early 19th century that became too small for the local Jewish community, which had 40 members in 1784 and developed until the beginning of the 20th century. This place of worship, marked by a nave and two sides, reflects the religious architecture of its time.

The synagogue was sacked by the Nazis in 1940 and restored in 1957. It became a rabbinate seat in 1910, highlighting its regional importance. Owned by the Jewish Consistory of the Upper Rhine, it was listed as a historical monument in 1984, before the decree was repealed and replaced by a new inscription in February 2025, also covering the rabbi's house and fence walls.

The site retains remarkable architectural elements, such as its ancient portal and facades, which are fully protected. Its history is linked to the persecutions suffered by the Alsatian Jewish community, especially during the Black Plague in 1349, which had decimated the local Jewish population. The current synagogue remains a symbol of resilience and cultural heritage.

Historical sources also mention a synagoga judeorum as early as 1333 in Guebwiller, attesting to an ancient Jewish presence in the city. After centuries of demographic fluctuations, the community grew until the 1900s, before the upheavals of the 20th century. Today, the building, although privately owned, embodies the memory of Alsatian Judaism.

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