Ashkenazi Synagogue was built in 1902 by Karl Paržik as the first religious object to be constructed in a then-popular pseudo-Moorish style. It is the third biggest synagogue in Europe.

On the left bank of the Miljacka River, near Drvenija Bridge, stands the Ashkenazi Synagogue – Sarajevo’s only active temple. It was built in 1902 on what was then Terezija St. (now Hamdije Kreševljakovića St.).

The synagogue was built in the Pseudo Moorish style, as designed by Karl Paržik, a well known architect who designed many other important buildings in Sarajevo. Construction was overseen by Ludwig Jungwirth and the work and painting done on the interior was carried out by master painter Ludwig Oisner.

It is assumed that designs were inspired by the Jewish temple in Budapest, which was erected in 1859.

Although it was built in the Pseudo Moorish style, with characteristic cupolas on the four corners and ornamental reliefs on the façade, the synagogue fit in well with its
surroundings, which were dominated by buildings that possessed an oriental character.

The main sanctuary was built to include a gallery that was intended for women, and the Aron Kodesh (the chest which holds the Torah), is situated on the eastern side of the complex, which faces Jerusalem.

When it celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1927, the synagogue underwent a thorough reconstruction, and in 1933 an administrative building for the Ashkenazi Jewish Community was erected on the western side, as well as a library, a residence
for the rabbi and space for additional activities.

Following the Edict of Expulsion, which was announced by the Catholic monarchs, Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castille on March 31, 1492, Jews were expelled from Spain and later Portugal. These Iberian Jews found refuge in lands which were largely under Ottoman rule.

Suleiman the Magnificent received and protected the expelled Jews and considered them hard-working and productive subjects. After initially arriving in small numbers, by around 1550 Jews began to reach BiH in larger numbers. Those who came from Spain and Portugal were known as Sephardic Jews, from the Hebrew word for Spain
(Sefarad) and were later called Španjolima. They travelled to Sarajevo via Bologna, Venice, Rome, Istanbul, Solun, Rushchuk, Skopje, Dubrovnik, Split….

In addition to their industrious and entrepreneurial spirit, the Jews also brought the classical Spanish language (which would later give rise to Ladino), lovely ballads and
Hebrew manuscripts, the most famous of which is the richly illuminated Sarajevo Haggadah.

When Austro-Hungarian rule was imposed on BiH, more Jews from Central and Eastern Europe moved to Sarajevo. These Ashkenazi Jews built their own synagogue in 1902.

Due to the large number of Jews who were killed during WWII, the Ashkenazi Synagogue became the only active temple in Sarajevo and it now serves as a joint place of worship for both Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews.

After living in Sarajevo for several centuries, Jews have contributed greatly to the city’s development. As for the most influential Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews in Sarajevo, the following deserve special mention: Nehemija Kajon, David Pardo, Abraham Kapon, Moric Levi, Kalmi Baruh, Laura Papo La Bohoret, Danijel Ozmo, Marcel Šnajder, Isak Samokovlija, Samuel Elazar....