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JWR VerifiedJWR-2026-000024

Oldest Synagogue in Latvia

Record holder

Ludza Great SynagoguePlace

Record value

Built in 1783

Country: LatviaAchievement location: Ludza, LatviaAchievement date: 1783Current record

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Verified by Jewish World RecordsHow we verify records

Exterior of the Ludza Great Synagogue in Ludza, Latvia.

Ludza Great Synagogue, photographed 5 August 2016Joostik / Wikimedia CommonsSourceCC BY-SA 3.0

Official record definition

The oldest surviving synagogue building in Latvia, determined by the verified construction date of the extant synagogue structure.

Measurement methodology

dendrochronological dating of historic timber structure plus documentary heritage comparison

Measurement point: Surviving historic timber structural frame of Ludza Great Synagogue

Record story

The Ludza Great Synagogue is recognised as the "Oldest Synagogue in Latvia", with a construction date of 1783. Located in the city of Ludza in eastern Latvia, the record is based on the verified construction date of the surviving historic timber structural frame. The age was determined using a combination of "dendrochronological dating of historic timber structure plus documentary heritage comparison". This research method, supported by Latvian government and museum documentation, dates the timber to the early 1780s. Sources identify Ludza not only as Latvia's oldest synagogue but also as the oldest wooden synagogue in the Baltic States.

A rare example of an eighteenth-century timber synagogue, the building survived fires, war, Soviet-era changes, and long periods of neglect. A comparative review confirmed its status, noting that the oldest wooden synagogue in neighbouring Lithuania, at Pakruojis, dates to 1801. Following a major restoration, the Ludza Great Synagogue now serves as a museum of local Jewish life while also preserving a Jewish prayer space. Its historic log structure is reported to be largely intact.

Media

Video embedded on the Latvian Association of Architects award page, materially depicting the record-holding synagogue and its restoration.

Gallery

  • Historic exterior view of Ludza Great Synagogue before restoration
    Ludza Great Synagogue, photographed 1 May 2013 before the 2014–2016 restoration.Joostik / Wikimedia CommonsSourceCC BY-SA 3.0

How JWR verified this record

Verification date
31 August 2026
Verification standard
JWR Verification Standard 1.0

Achievement evidence

Latvian government and Ludza Museum heritage documentation identify the synagogue as a surviving historic wooden structure and report dendrochronological dating to approximately 1781-1783.

Superiority evidence

Latvian government and regional heritage sources identify Ludza as the oldest wooden synagogue in the Baltic States. Counter-search found Pakruojis, Lithuania, dated 1801, while Tallinn's historic synagogue was destroyed and the current building opened in 2007.

Jewish Eligibility — Verified by JWR

Jewish eligibility verification

Evidence establishing that the holder qualifies as Jewish for JWR purposes.

  • Great Synagogue in Ludza — Latvian Association of Architects / Latarh

Achievement / record verification

Evidence establishing that the holder achieved the result and holds the record as defined.

  • Opening of Ludza Great Synagogue after restoration — Latvia Ministry of Culture
  • Ludza Great Synagogue — Ludza Museum of Regional Studies
  • Synagogue (Aizpute Culture House) — Dienvidkurzeme Tourism

Superiority / counter-candidate verification

Evidence comparing the result with other candidates relevant to the record claim.

  • Lithuania: restored wooden synagogue in Pakruojis reopens — Jewish Heritage Europe

Jewish eligibility, achievement and superiority evidence retain their separate classifications and are never merged. Context and provenance are not presented as proof of the achievement. Restricted evidence and internal research notes are never published. Learn more about the seven-stage process on the verification page.

Sources & Verification

  • Opening of Ludza Great Synagogue after restoration

    Official recordLatvia Ministry of Culture· 15 August 2016

    What this proves: Officially identifies Ludza Great Synagogue as the oldest synagogue in Latvia and the Baltic States and confirms restored heritage status.

  • Ludza Great Synagogue

    Independent publicationLudza Museum of Regional Studies· 30 August 2026

    What this proves: Confirms surviving wooden structure, authentic layout and dendrochronology with most recent analyzed wood dating to 1781.

  • Great Synagogue in Ludza

    Independent publicationLatvian Association of Architects / Latarh· 2016

    What this proves: Describes Ludza as North-Eastern Europe's oldest wooden synagogue, dendrochronologically proven to 1783, with historic log structure largely intact.

  • Lithuania: restored wooden synagogue in Pakruojis reopens

    Independent publicationJewish Heritage Europe· 24 May 2017

    What this proves: Confirms Pakruojis dates to 1801 and is the oldest surviving wooden synagogue in Lithuania, later than Ludza.

  • Synagogue (Aizpute Culture House)

    Independent publicationDienvidkurzeme Tourism

    What this proves: Documents a synagogue lineage originating in 1751 but states the two synagogue buildings were merged in 1950 and the current building serves as a culture house.

History

  1. Verified

    Verified according to JWR Verification Standard 1.0.

  2. Publishedv1

    Published to the official JWR registry.

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