The Secession Masterpiece

Subotica is one of the most interesting cities in Serbia from both an architectural and historical perspective. And right in its center stands a building rightly considered an architectural masterpiece.

Located near the Hungarian border, Subotica was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire for a long time, which greatly influenced its urban development. The city center still preserves numerous buildings and structures from the late 19th to early 20th century, including the synagogue — whose exterior I am sharing with you today through my photographs.

The synagogue was built in 1902 to a design by Hungarian architects Marcell Komor and Dezső Jakab. It is one of the finest examples of Hungarian Secession, a regional variant of Art Nouveau characteristic of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The building features an asymmetrical facade composition, intricate ceramic cladding, stained glass windows, and ornamental wrought iron details.

Over its long history, it has been restored several times, acquiring its current appearance in the early 1990s. This look is almost identical to the original design. It is rare to encounter architecture that remains this powerful more than a century later.

Situated in the very heart of the city, the synagogue now functions not only as a religious space but also as a cultural center. I did not go inside — my focus was entirely on its exterior. Buildings like this remind me why I travel — with a camera, of course. 📷

Thank you for your attention!

Subotica, Serbia.
May, 2024.
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