Info| Places in Poland
Zabłudów |
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The village is situated 15 km south-east from Białystok, in East Poland.
The wooden synagogue of Zabłudów was an original contribution of Polish Jewry. Timber, usually pinewood but also oak, was plentiful in the Polish countryside and wood was easy to work with. It also easily served rural communities who could not afford the heavy expenditure required for masonry structures. The builders were often Jewish and they were influenced by the styles prevailing in their surroundings such as timber churches. Inside, elaborate carvings and paintings often adorned the ark, the walls, and the ceiling.
Unfortunately the buildings were vulnerable to fire and woodrot while many others were destroyed in wars and anti-Jewish attacks. About 100 survived until World War II but all of these were razed by the Germans. The synagogue of Zabłudów, shown on the stamp, was an outstanding example. It was first built in the mid-l7th century and was remodelled at various times. The two prayer rooms for women and the vestibule were each covered by a separate roof from the main building.
Polonica stamp:
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Israel 1988, 01 IX |
