Introduction
When the Stadttempel opened its doors in 1826, it was the only synagogue legally permitted inside Vienna’s city walls. Nearly two centuries later, the elegant Biedermeier sanctuary on Seitenstettengasse remains the beating heart of Jewish religious life in Austria. In 2026, the community will celebrate the synagogue’s bicentennial, turning the entire year into a festival of music, scholarship, and interfaith dialogue. Here’s everything you need to know—from special services to architectural tours—to make the most of this once‑in‑a‑lifetime milestone.
Bicentennial Theme: “Light Through the Ages”
Organizers have chosen a theme that reflects the synagogue’s survival—through the 1848 revolutions, the Shoah (it was the only Viennese synagogue not destroyed during Kristallnacht), and post‑war rebuilding. Expect elaborate lighting installations that trace the building’s history from candlelit prayer to modern LED art.
Key Events
| Date | Event | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Feb 2026 | Opening Cantorial Gala | World‑renowned hazzanim perform 19th‑century liturgical pieces on the original organ restored for the jubilee. |
| March–April | Architecture & Memory Lecture Series | Weekly talks by historians and architects, including a VR reconstruction of the 1826 interior. |
| 7 May | Interfaith Summit | Rabbis, priests, and imams discuss sacred space in a pluralistic Europe. |
| High Holidays | Bicentennial Machzor | A limited‑edition prayer book with facsimiles of the synagogue’s 1826 dedication sermon. |
| 15 Dec | Closing Hanukkah Concert | Klezmer meets classical with the Vienna Chamber Orchestra under menorah lights. |
Tickets for ticketed events go on sale 1 September 2025 via stadttempel200.at.
Guided Tours & Exhibitions
- Behind the Bimah Tour (Daily, 60 min): Explore the Torah ark, women’s gallery, and hidden mikveh.
- Treasures of the Stadttempel (Museum Judenplatz): A pop‑up exhibition of rarely seen ritual objects, including the original 1826 silver rimonim.
- Stadttempel in Art: Outdoor photo exhibit in Stephansplatz featuring artistic depictions over 200 years.
Tours are offered in English, German, Hebrew, and French. Book early; group size is capped at 15 for security reasons.
Community & Volunteer Opportunities
- Global Choir Project: Join 200 voices from five continents in a mass choir for the opening gala.
- Bicentennial Oral History: Record your family’s memories of the Stadttempel; stories will be archived in the Austrian National Library.
- Green Synagogue Initiative: Help plant 200 trees in Vienna’s Prater park—one for each year of the synagogue’s life.
Travel Tips
- Location: Seitenstettengasse 4; nearest U‑Bahn: Schwedenplatz (U1/U4).
- Security: Expect airport‑style screening. Bring passport ID.
- Kosher Dining: Alef Alef and Kosherland are within a five‑minute walk.
- Accommodation: Consider Hotel Wandl or the kosher‑friendly Hilton Vienna Plaza.
Why You Should Attend
The bicentennial is more than an architectural birthday; it’s a testament to Jewish resilience in Vienna. By participating, you support ongoing restoration work, Holocaust education programs, and the preservation of a living monument that has witnessed—and withstood—two turbulent centuries.
Plan Ahead
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