The Legnica synagogue was founded in 1846. At that time, Raphael Prausnitzer, a banker, purchased a plot of land for the construction of the synagogue at the corner of Bäckerstraße (today Piekarska St) and Synagogenstraße (today Gwarna St) and donated 4000 thalers towards its construction. The synagogue was formally opened during a grand ceremony on 16 June 1847.
The brick building was rectangular, in the English Neogothic style. In its western section was the foyer leading to the main prayer hall, surrounded on three sides by galleries designed for women. In the corners of the main facade, there were two towers and, on them, apses with entrances to the galleries for women. Three entrances, decorated with beautiful portals, led to the main facade, above which was a window with stonework tracery.
The synagogue was burned down by the Germans during Kristallnacht on 9th November 1938 [1.1].
- [1.1] Legnica, [in:] Borkowski M., Kirmiel A., Włodarczyk T., Śladami Żydów. Dolny Śląsk, Opolszczyzna, Ziemia Lubuska, Warszawa 2008, p. 37; Liegnitz (Schlesien), [in:] Alicke K.-D., Lexikon der jüdischen Gemeinden im deutschen Sprachraum, vol. 2, München 2008, no. 2521.
