Orthodox synagogue is one of the most beautiful buildings in Uzhgorod. Today the Transcarpathian regional Philharmonia is located in its building.

History:

Uzhgorod orthodox synagogue building has a complicated history, which is to some extent similar to the history of the Jewish community. It was constructed at the cost of Jewish patrons and the local Jewish community which was quite numerous at the end of the 19th – beginning of the 20th centuries as the projected capacity of the building was designed for 900 people. This synagogue was supposed to be unique in Europe and it turned out to be so. The building was designed by Hungarian architect. It was built out of Italian building materials, and at a state-of-the-art level. The synagogue became the first reinforced concrete building in Uzhgorod and a real gem of the city.

However, terrible events of the Second World War affected Uzhgorod Jewish community and the synagogue building as well. German and Hungarian troops used it as stables, causing its poor conditions.

In Soviet times, the synagogue was also used for other purposes. At first, it was closed and turned into a warehouse. Later it was decided to locate a Philharmonic hall there. Thus the building was reconstructed. Inside it was divided in two floors and the dome was covered with tin tiles. The sunlight that usually fall into the hall and magically painted everything in various colors, could no longer get there. All religious symbols in the building were destroyed.

Philharmonic hall has been working in this building since 1947. The Jewish symbols were replaced by Lyre the symbol of music. One of the best organs in Ukraine was located there. And not fat from Uzhgorod Philharmonic hall on the railings of the embankment there is a statue to Franz Liszt as if listening to the music, making sure nobody plays out of tune. That sculpture was established to commemorate the Hungarian composer visit to Trasncarpathia in the second half of the 19th century.