Währinger Tempel

The Währinger Tempel was a synagogue in Vienna’s 18th district, built between 1888 and 1889 by architect Jakob Modern. It stood in a narrow courtyard on Schopenhauerstraße, blending Italian Renaissance and Romantic styles. The building was a two-storey basilica with separate spaces for men and women, holding 504 seats in total. Its plain brick façade hid rich interior decoration, including gold-leaf details and painted Arabesques. The temple was destroyed during the November pogroms of 1938 and later removed, leaving only a grassy area today. The synagogue’s design met strict religious and municipal rules. The men’s section had 328 seats, while the women’s gallery held 176, with narrow aisles and emergency exits. Gas lighting, iron staircases and ventilation shafts were installed to modern standards. Two large heating stoves warmed the prayer hall, while a system of ducts regulated air flow. The total cost of 43,324 florins was kept low by efficient construction, with most funds spent on masonry, carpentry and metalwork. Inside, the prayer hall featured a raised bimah paved with Mettlach tiles and a wooden Torah ark painted white with gold trim. The vestibule’s ceiling was adorned with leaf-gilded mouldings, and the walls carried intricate painted patterns. A central chandelier and wall sconces provided lighting, while separate toilet facilities served men and women. The building’s utilitarian yet decorative style reflected the community’s needs within tight constraints.