Roonstrasse Synagogue, Cologne
Roonstrasse Synagogue is a historic site in Cologne, and the only surviving synagogue of the five that existed before the Nazi era. The Jewish community in Cologne has a long history, being first mentioned in 321, and its population grew significantly over time. The foundation stone of the Neo-Romanesque style building, designed by Cologne architects Schreiterer & Below, was laid in 1895 and inaugurated in 1899. However, on the night of November 9, 1938, known as Kristallnacht, the synagogue was attacked and set alight like all the other synagogues in the city.
During World War II, the synagogue suffered further damage, and only the burnt-out tower and central section were left. After the war, the surviving Jewish community of Cologne decided to completely rebuild the synagogue. The reconstruction was completed in 1959, under the direction of the architect Helmut Goldschmidt, with minor changes on the outside and a simplified interior. The new leadlight windows by Lammers & Warzager were added to the building.
The synagogue has been the center of the Jewish community in Cologne since its reopening. It consists of a community center, a small display of items associated with Cologne Jewry, and a kosher restaurant. The interior of the reconstructed synagogue features a vast blue dome.
On Christmas Eve 1959, the Synagogue was smeared with anti-Jewish slogans by members of the far-right Deutsche Reichspartei. West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, who had been mayor of Cologne from 1917 until removed by the Nazi government in 1933, made the desecration the subject of his New Year's speech.
On August 19, 2005, Pope Benedict XVI visited the Roonstrasse Synagogue, which was his second-ever visit to any synagogue. During his visit, he condemned Nazism and antisemitism, and expressed his support for the Jewish community in Germany.
During World War II, the synagogue suffered further damage, and only the burnt-out tower and central section were left. After the war, the surviving Jewish community of Cologne decided to completely rebuild the synagogue. The reconstruction was completed in 1959, under the direction of the architect Helmut Goldschmidt, with minor changes on the outside and a simplified interior. The new leadlight windows by Lammers & Warzager were added to the building.
The synagogue has been the center of the Jewish community in Cologne since its reopening. It consists of a community center, a small display of items associated with Cologne Jewry, and a kosher restaurant. The interior of the reconstructed synagogue features a vast blue dome.
On Christmas Eve 1959, the Synagogue was smeared with anti-Jewish slogans by members of the far-right Deutsche Reichspartei. West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, who had been mayor of Cologne from 1917 until removed by the Nazi government in 1933, made the desecration the subject of his New Year's speech.
On August 19, 2005, Pope Benedict XVI visited the Roonstrasse Synagogue, which was his second-ever visit to any synagogue. During his visit, he condemned Nazism and antisemitism, and expressed his support for the Jewish community in Germany.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Cologne. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Roonstrasse Synagogue on Map
Sight Name: Roonstrasse Synagogue
Sight Location: Cologne, Germany (See walking tours in Cologne)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Cologne, Germany (See walking tours in Cologne)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Cologne, Germany
Create Your Own Walk in Cologne
Creating your own self-guided walk in Cologne is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Cologne Introduction Walking Tour
Cologne is one of Germany's oldest cities. It was founded as a Roman settlement on the Rhine in the first century, then known as the Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium.
The name came from Agrippina the Younger, wife of Roman Emperor Claudius. She came from the area and petitioned the emperor to raise the status of her home to a Colonia--a city under Roman law. During the Roman period, it... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
The name came from Agrippina the Younger, wife of Roman Emperor Claudius. She came from the area and petitioned the emperor to raise the status of her home to a Colonia--a city under Roman law. During the Roman period, it... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Beer House Walking Tour
In Cologne they say, "Kölsch is the only language you can drink." Brewed only here and nowhere else, Kölsch – a light beer, slightly bitter, bright yellow in color, and made of top-fermented yeast – is forbidden for production in any other part of Germany.
Each licensed brewery in the city makes its own variation of Kölsch, served traditionally in a tall, thin, cylindrical... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Each licensed brewery in the city makes its own variation of Kölsch, served traditionally in a tall, thin, cylindrical... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Cologne Shopping Tour
Calling the shops, whilst in Cologne, is the thing you definitely should not miss! One of the most popular shopping destinations in Germany, this “cathedral” city abounds in malls, designer stores and various national and international brand outlets fit to impress anyone and let you shop till you drop! Some people even make special trips to Cologne just to stroll and buy things to their... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Cologne's Historical Churches Walking Tour
The beautiful and historically rich city of Cologne has been around for over 2,000 years. For centuries, it has been regarded as a very important religious center.
The Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral), one of its biggest attractions, is renowned as a symbol of Christianity and “a masterpiece of exceptional intrinsic value” (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The twelve Romanesque churches of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
The Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral), one of its biggest attractions, is renowned as a symbol of Christianity and “a masterpiece of exceptional intrinsic value” (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The twelve Romanesque churches of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Cologne's Architectural Landmarks Walking Tour
Around 75% of Cologne was destroyed by Allied bombing during World War II. Following such devastation, it meant that most of what was built immediately after the war came from the so-called “As quickly and cheaply as possible” school of architecture. Eventually, as the things settled, the architects were given the chance to build something that would really stand out.
Decades later, the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Decades later, the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles