Vienna synagogue marks completion of 10.5 million euro restoration

Vienna’s Jewish Stadttempel synagogue is marking the completion of its restoration with a ceremony attended by Austria’s top political leaders, ORF reported.

Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, Chancellor Christian Stocker and Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig are among those attending Wednesday evening’s official ceremony. The synagogue was formally reopened last week.

The restoration cost 10.5 million euros and took 10.5 months. Oskar Deutsch, president of the Jewish Community of Vienna, thanked the Austrian Republic and the many donors who contributed to the project.

Deutsch said the Stadttempel would remain open and that guided tours would be possible again from winter. “Judaism belongs to Austria like milk in a melange,” he said.

David Roet, Israel’s ambassador to Austria, said the synagogue was “a strong symbol of a Jewish community that is alive and proud and determined to shape its future here”.

The work improved fire protection and accessibility and redesigned the entrance areas. Historic features were also uncovered, including the floor beneath the bima, the raised platform used for reading the Torah, which is made of Budapest marble, as well as stone plinths.