Book contents
- Frontmatter
- CONTENTS
- Dedication
- Acknowledgements
- List of Figures and Tables
- Preface
- Introduction
- 1 Medieval versus Early Modern Synagogues
- 2 Jews, Synagogues and Compulsory Urban Consolidation at the Dawn of the Early Modern Period
- 3 Urbanization and Jewish Public Space: The First Great Synagogues
- 4 Readmission and Colonial Frontiers: New Synagogues in Lands of Tolerance
- 5 Jews and Early Modern Cultural Exchanges: Cross-Pollination and its Effects on Synagogue Design
- 6 Lavishing the House of Assembly: Synagogues, Global Trade and Exotic Ornamentation
- Conclusion: From Early Modern to Modern: Synagogues in Transition
- Glossary
- Notes
- Works Cited
- Index
1 - Medieval versus Early Modern Synagogues
- Frontmatter
- CONTENTS
- Dedication
- Acknowledgements
- List of Figures and Tables
- Preface
- Introduction
- 1 Medieval versus Early Modern Synagogues
- 2 Jews, Synagogues and Compulsory Urban Consolidation at the Dawn of the Early Modern Period
- 3 Urbanization and Jewish Public Space: The First Great Synagogues
- 4 Readmission and Colonial Frontiers: New Synagogues in Lands of Tolerance
- 5 Jews and Early Modern Cultural Exchanges: Cross-Pollination and its Effects on Synagogue Design
- 6 Lavishing the House of Assembly: Synagogues, Global Trade and Exotic Ornamentation
- Conclusion: From Early Modern to Modern: Synagogues in Transition
- Glossary
- Notes
- Works Cited
- Index
Summary
In order to appreciate the renaissance of early modern synagogue development and design, an understanding of the historical context behind the average medieval Jewish house of worship is essential. A single chapter on medieval synagogues is the typical treatment that synagogue architecture from this period receives in books on Jewish architectural history. A full monograph has yet to be written, most likely due to the shortage of information that survives, especially in comparison to the information available on church and mosque architecture. However, in comparison to previous studies, the present volume will not just delve into a discussion on what buildings are extant, but will also discuss what has been lost. Indeed, the synagogues that survive from the Middle Ages are a mere fraction of what once existed. Many met a fate of anti-Semitic destruction or repurposement, such as for Christianity or Islam. Others were lost through vandalism, natural disaster and neglect. Indeed, there are probably entire building types of synagogues where no examples survive. Rare texts pertaining to Jewish houses of worship from this early period provide some historical information, as well as recent archaeological excavations of former synagogue sites. However, what is also highly informative are surviving built environments from areas where medieval Jews are known to have lived even when there are no synagogues from the period.
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- Publisher: Pickering & ChattoFirst published in: 2014