Bykhov located 49 kilometers from Mogilev, on the Dnieper River. The city has a rich and interesting history. Bykhov was once a vivid example of a fortified city, so it is not surprising that the sights here are appropriate. One of the main - Bykhov Synagogue, which resembles a fort rather than a prayer house.
The synagogue arrives in a ruined state, like the neighboring Castle Chodkiewicz and Sapieha.
However, I am glad that both buildings are mothballed and are inspected. There is no garbage around, the territory is ennobled, so it is definitely worth visiting this place.
The history of the creation of the Bykhov synagogue
It is known that the castle and the synagogue were built at about the same time - at the beginning of the 17th century. Many sources have the date of completion of construction - 1620 year (in others 1640).
The Bykhov synagogue originally had features of the Baroque architectural style, which were combined with the late Renaissance.
At the same time, the synagogue is a worthy example of defensive temples. The battle tower with loopholes is partially preserved today.
The shape of the synagogue in Bykhov is almost square, measuring 21 by 20 meters. Judging by the old photographs, there used to be outbuildings and a residential building around.
Permission for the construction of a Jewish temple was given by the then owners of Bykhov - representatives of the Sapieha family. According to legend, the magnate owed a significant amount to a local merchant, so he made a concession and allowed the building to be erected in the very center.
True, he later set an important condition, the synagogue should be part of the city's defensive structures. The Jews did not disappoint and everyone was satisfied with the result.
The walls of the synagogue were laid as in a real castle, strong and thick - more than a meter thick. Drone photos show that the vaults have collapsed in one place.
The long history of the Bykhov synagogue made adjustments to the external and internal appearance of this building. At the beginning of the 20th century, the upper part of the attic was demolished, loopholes were walled up in the lower part, and the flat roof was replaced with a gable one.
The war caused irreparable damage, the building was significantly damaged, and the interior decoration was almost completely destroyed.
After the end of World War II, a military warehouse was located within the walls of the synagogue.
Inside this architectural monument there was a bima (according to rumors, it was partially preserved).
This is a special part of the synagogue, which is surrounded, in this case, by four columns. In the center is a table on which the Torah scrolls were once read.
The location of the windows is also interesting - they are quite high. Such a structure was supposed to look simple, monumental and concise.
The former synagogue in Bykhov is located at the intersection Sovetskaya and Lenina streets, below is a point with a mark on the map:
I also suggest watching a short overview video:
Others sights of Belarus, as well as options tours around the country.
