Bosnia: Former synagogue razed to make way for shopping center

The synagogue in the town of Travnik demolished last week was built in 1860 to replace one that was built in the 18th century..

By JTA
A former synagogue in Bosnia was demolished to make way for a shopping center. The synagogue in the town of Travnik demolished last week was built in 1860 to replace one that was built in the 18th century. Last used for worship in 1941 and damaged during World War II, the synagogue was sold to the town in the 1950s by the Bosnian Jewish community. Stripped of any indication of its former use, it was used as a metal workshop for decades. In late August, news of the impending demolition sparked an ultimately unsuccessful local campaign to save the building. A citizens' group, Front, was formed and called for the synagogue to be saved as a reminder of Bosnia's historic multicultural heritage.