Tempel Synagogue (7 Street of Executed Nationalists)
The most fascinating monuments in Ivano-Frankivsk involve the ancient reformist synagogue Tempel. The name of the Tempel Synagogue in the translation from Yiddish means „shrine”. In 1887, its construction was initiated by the members of the Jewish Community of Progressives, Olexander Vittel and Elias Fisher. At that time, most of the population of Subcarpathian cities were Jews. One part of the Jews actively participated in the country life, they struggled for the right to education and so on. They were called the Union of Progress or reformists. However, the majority of people were Orthodox Jews, who properly complied with all religious laws. They protested against all reforms and banned progressives from entering synagogues. That is why progressives built their own temple in Stanislav.
Thanks to vice burgomaster Arthur Nimhin, the Rybna Square, where the fish was sold, was allocated for the construction of the synagogue. The project of the Ivano-Frankivsk shrine was designed by a well-known architect Vilhelm Shtriasny who also built synagogues in Vienna and Prague. In June 1895, with the participation of Rabbi Isaac Horovytsa, the cornerstone of the synagogue was laid. It is interesting, that there they found an older plate with the inscription that in 1670 the Christian Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary was founded on that very same place. However, this did not prevent the construction of a synagogue. Finally, on September 4, 1899, the opening ceremony of the synagogue was held in the presence of the city authorities and the Jewish community. In the 20th years of the 20th century, it was restored and the interior was painted with new frescoes. However, during the Second World War, the Tempel nearly burned down and was severely ruined.
On November 17, 1943, on the ruins of the synagogue, 27 members of the OUN (Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists) were shot, that is why the street bears the name of the Executed Nationalists. In 1954, Tempel’s deserted premises were passed under the control of the Medical Institute, who decided to use the ground floor of the former temple as a gym, and on the first floor, a lecture hall and a student club were established. When Ukraine became independent, the building was transferred to the community of Orthodox Jews.