Great Choral Synagogue is located in St. Petersburg and is an architectural monument of national importance. Synagogue on Lermontov Prospekt - the spiritual center of the Jewish religious community of the Northern capital. Here the Jews to worship, celebrate holidays and simply communicate. It is the second largest in Europe.

The Jewish community has played an important role in the development of Russia and the establishment of St. Petersburg. Despite the fact that the decree of Catherine I, Jews were forbidden to live in St. Petersburg and in Russia in general, they still come for a short time. During the reign of Catherine II, some Jews were allowed in the interests of the Russian state to live in St. Petersburg, but a decree banning the arrival of Jews in the capital continues to operate.

After the partition of Poland, Russia had received huge territories inhabited by Belarusians, Poles, Ukrainians, Lithuanians and including Jews. Therefore, in the late 18th century. Jews began to appear more frequently in St. Petersburg. At the same time the beginning of the formation of its first Jewish community in St. Petersburg, a big businessman Abram Peretz was its main representative.

In the 19th century the Jewish community of St. Petersburg included about 10 thousand. Faithful. Across the city, she had located several small chapels, but in order to fully meet the religious needs of the faithful, it was not enough. In this regard, it was decided to begin construction of the synagogue.

Location sought for the construction for a decade. January 16, 1879 the Jewish community was purchased a house and land of Rostov AA Workshop on Large. In the summer of the same year, a competition was announced for the construction of the synagogue. The project by the architect LI Bachmann and II Shaposhnikov involving NL Benoit and V. Stasov.

In May 1883, Alexander II approved the preliminary design of the future synagogue. AA Kaufmann headed the building committee, and construction work led AV Malov with assistants SO Klein and BI Girshovich. Since 1884, the construction was in charge of NL Benois, and SS Polyakov was the Chairman of the Committee. The main sponsors of the construction works was the first chairman of the Jewish community of St. Petersburg, Baron Horace Gunzburg and renowned philanthropist Polyakov. In their honor, in the main hall of the synagogue were built memorials.

In October 1886 he was consecrated Small Synagogue, before the opening of the Great Hall of it placed the Temporary synagogue. Construction of the Great Synagogue was completed in 1888, but finishing work continued for about five years. December 8, 1893 a solemn consecration of the Great Synagogue.

The building of the Great Choral Synagogue made in the east, rather Moorish style. Its center is decorated risalite portal and the twin pillars of the arch. The building is topped by a spherical dome. The lobby has the original Jewish temple acoustics - whispered words heard at a distance of about 10m. In the center of the lobby's voice is amplified several times.

After the opening of the Great Choral Synagogue in the city closed all the chapel, which has led to certain difficulties in the administration of rituals, as the new building still could not accommodate all those in need. In 1909 the synagogue building g.pered installed fence of granite blocks instead of the dilapidated wooden fence.

In 1929, by order of the Leningrad City Council, the Jewish community was liquidated, and in January 1930 the synagogue was closed. However, in June 1930 following a complaint by the Central Executive Committee of the Jews, the synagogue reopened.

Before the Olympic Games of 1980, which were held including in Leningrad, Grand Choral Synagogue became a major sights are therefore allocated funds for its reconstruction and repair.

Recently, the facade of the synagogue was returned to the original terracotta red color. The main hall of the Jewish temple is decorated with original chandelier, it was restored and re-covered with silver leaf. Initially, it was gas, but later it was converted into electricity.

For women, there is a separate gallery, located on the second floor. During the prayer, men and women are separated, so that the faithful not be distracted from communion with God. Above the women's gallery is a male choir.