New Town Synagogue

The New Town Synagogue dates back to the turn of the 18th century and is one of the oldest synagogues in Subcarpathia. Nowadays, it's a headquarters of the Office of Art Exhibitions. It is also called the New or the Big School because it is bigger than the Old Town Synagogue that is located nearby. Its architect and builder was Jan Chrzciciel Belotti, Italian court architect of Lubomirski family.

The characteristic parts of the building are brick enhancements which were supposed to provide stability for the walls placed on the swampy ground. The entire construction was built in baroque-renaissance style. The documents mention grandeur of the interiors: richly decorated vaultings and pillars, beautiful polychromes. The only part that preserved to this day is the niche where Torah ark (ornamental closet) used to be placed.

During the occupation, military warehouses were stationed in the synagogue. In 1944 it was set on fire and started to fall into ruin. Thanks to the Congregation of Moses Faith, it was saved from demolition. The synagogue lost its original shape and interior parts, nevertheless it is the important part of the history of Jews in Rzeszów.