Roonstrasse Synagogue, Cologne

Roonstrasse Synagogue is a historic site in Cologne, and the only surviving synagogue of the five that existed before the Nazi era. The Jewish community in Cologne has a long history, being first mentioned in 321, and its population grew significantly over time. The foundation stone of the Neo-Romanesque style building, designed by Cologne architects Schreiterer & Below, was laid in 1895 and inaugurated in 1899. However, on the night of November 9, 1938, known as Kristallnacht, the synagogue was attacked and set alight like all the other synagogues in the city.

During World War II, the synagogue suffered further damage, and only the burnt-out tower and central section were left. After the war, the surviving Jewish community of Cologne decided to completely rebuild the synagogue. The reconstruction was completed in 1959, under the direction of the architect Helmut Goldschmidt, with minor changes on the outside and a simplified interior. The new leadlight windows by Lammers & Warzager were added to the building.

The synagogue has been the center of the Jewish community in Cologne since its reopening. It consists of a community center, a small display of items associated with Cologne Jewry, and a kosher restaurant. The interior of the reconstructed synagogue features a vast blue dome.

On Christmas Eve 1959, the Synagogue was smeared with anti-Jewish slogans by members of the far-right Deutsche Reichspartei. West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, who had been mayor of Cologne from 1917 until removed by the Nazi government in 1933, made the desecration the subject of his New Year's speech.

On August 19, 2005, Pope Benedict XVI visited the Roonstrasse Synagogue, which was his second-ever visit to any synagogue. During his visit, he condemned Nazism and antisemitism, and expressed his support for the Jewish community in Germany.