Garnethill Synagogue is the historic cathedral synagogue

Synagogue

A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...

 of Scotland

Scotland

Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...

. It is located in Garnethill

Garnethill

Garnethill is a predominantly residential area of the city of Glasgow, Scotland.-Geography:Located in the city centre, the area borders Cowcaddens to its north, Sauchiehall Street to its south, Cambridge Street to its east and the M8 motorway to its west....

, Glasgow

Glasgow

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...

.

The synagogue was designed by John McLeod and Nathan S. Joseph

Nathan S. Joseph

Nathan Solomon Joseph a British philanthropist, social reformer, architect, and Jewish communal leader.Joseph collaborated on the design of a number of important synagogues, including the Garnethill Synagogue, New West End Synagogue, and Hampstead Synagogue.He was also noted for his work...

 and built in 1879-81.

The building's exterior is Romanesque revival. The basilica

Basilica

The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...

-form, orientalist style interior features Byzantine revival detail. Particularly notable is the splendid Torah Ark, designed by Nathan it closely resembles the Ark he designed for London's New West End Synagogue

New West End Synagogue

The New West End Synagogue, located in St. Petersburgh Place, Bayswater, London, is one of the Oldest synagogues in the United Kingdom still functioning. It is one of two synagogues which have been awarded Grade I listed status by the British government and has been described by English Heritage as...

. Both Arks are raised on platforms, approached by a series of circular, marble steps and project into the room in the form os a multi-domed and arched building.

External links

• Garnethill Synagogue on Jewish Communities and Records - UK (hosted by jewishgen.org).