Oshmyany is a town rich in historical landmarks and interesting places. In the city center, you’ll find the beautiful Church of St. Michael the Archangel and the Resurrection Church. A little further, you can see the colorful ruins of the Franciscan Church, and just outside the city lies Strugach’s estate. Among other notable sites, a unique place worth mentioning is the Oshmyany Synagogue.
Seeing a synagogue in Oshmyany is hardly surprising—back in the 19th century, more than 50% of the city’s population were Jews. Preserved in its original form, the synagogue is both an architectural and religious monument.
The exact date of construction is uncertain—some sources state 1912, while others claim 1902. This discrepancy may be due to the building being reconstructed from an older synagogue.
Built of red brick, the synagogue follows traditional Jewish architectural styles but incorporates certain local features and atypical elements. From the outside, the building appears quite austere—rectangular in shape, without extravagant decorations—but it does feature some ornamental details. A particularly striking element is the rose window with stained glass, located above the entrance.
The tri-sloped wooden roof also stands out, as such solutions are rarely found in modern architecture today.
Despite being over a century old, the building has been relatively well preserved—especially when compared to other synagogues in Belarus. Yes, some bricks have crumbled, the roof leaks, and the windows are boarded up, but the synagogue’s overall historical appearance remains largely intact.
Notably, above the pilasters, you can see 12 empty niches—these once held stylized depictions of the zodiac signs.
A particularly fascinating aspect for visitors is the chance to step inside the synagogue and admire its interior paintings, ceiling, and other authentic elements. The local guide has photographs of all the original decorations.
Upon entering the Oshmyany Synagogue, one of the first things you’ll notice is the arched gallery on the second floor, which was once designated as a women’s section.
During World War II, the synagogue ceased to be a religious sanctuary and was tragically transformed into a ghetto. The building and surrounding streets became the center of a local prison. Unfortunately, the post-war years were also unkind to the synagogue, as it was repurposed into a warehouse and later a production facility.
In 2012, the former synagogue was transferred to the Francis Bogushevich Museum, and since 2015, a small exhibition hall has been opened inside.
This historic monument is located in the heart of Oshmyany, at 73 Mickiewicz Street.
