The
Jews in Várpalota, in the old town of Veszprém county (Hungary) used to
live for hundreds of years. Their memories are still visible, although
the community perished in the Holocaust. They took significant part in
the town’s cultural and economical life, and lived in peace with the
non-Jewish population. Their former synagogue is a beautiful, prominent
building in our days as well, even though it went through a lot of
adversity, and its function has changed decades ago.
The essay gives us much information about the Várpalota Jews and their
heritage from the beginning until our days. The main subject is the
synagogue, its history, architectural analysis, and comparison with
other similar synagogues located in Hungary. Unfortunately the
interpretation can not be complete, because the interior of the building
is a victim of a series of redevelopment. Nevertheless there are still
enough sources in archives and local history books to show us the
greatness of this old memorial of Várpalota Jews. |