Synagogue, Sharhorod
A fortified synagogue of 1589 — among Ukraine's oldest.
Sharhorod was founded in 1585 together with Jan Zamoyski's bastioned castle, and Jews were among the town's first inhabitants. In 1589 a masonry hall-type synagogue was built that formed part of the town's defensive system: two-metre-thick walls with stairs to the roof within their thickness, and a shaped attic with corner turrets. In the 1640s the Sharhorod community was one of the largest in Podillia. Under Ottoman rule in 1672–1699 the synagogue was turned into a mosque, and in the 18th century a second storey was added to the western annex. In the 1930s it was closed and handed over to a factory: according to castles.com.ua, a juice and fruit-drink factory, according to ukrainky.com.ua, a cannery; in the ghetto during the Romanian occupation the synagogue functioned again. Today the building has been returned to the Jewish community, but it needs restoration: according to ukrainky.com.ua (2024), the interior is in a terrible state.
The synagogue is at 2 Kniahyni Olhy Street; the building needs restoration, the interior is neglected (2024).