Ludza's Great Synagogue included in European Heritage Days program
Ludza, which claims to be the oldest city in Latvia and is known as the Latvian Jerusalem, has included its Great Synagogue in the European Heritage Days program, dedicated to threat. Although the synagogue is the oldest wooden one in the Baltics, Jewish prayers are no longer held there.
Ludza prides itself on its ancient history, claiming to be the oldest city in Latvia, first mentioned in chronicles in 1177. The town also calls itself the Latvian Jerusalem, but this name refers more to the past than to the present. At the heart of this heritage is the Great Synagogue of Ludza, a wooden building that stands out as the oldest of its kind in the Baltics. Yet today, the Jewish community no longer holds prayers there.
According to Jewish tradition, a minyan, or a quorum of at least ten adult men, is required for communal prayers. Ludza now has only three Jewish men, making it impossible to conduct services. This situation highlights the broader decline of the local Jewish community and the growing threat to cultural heritage.
This is why the Great Synagogue has been added to the European Heritage Days program, which this year focuses on threat. The program aims to draw attention to sites that need special protection and public interest. The synagogue is not only an architectural monument but also a testament to Ludza's diverse history and the contribution of its Jewish community.
