Tsentralna Sofiiska Sinagoga (Central Sofia Synagogue)
Situated behind the Hali, the Central Sofia Synagogue is the second largest Sephardic synagogue in Europe. Designed by the Austrian architect Friedrich Grunanger, the synagogue was built to resemble an earlier synagogue in Vienna, which was destroyed by the Nazis. The century-old building is a square block of Spanish-Moorish design, with a large central dome lit by a showpiece 2,250kg (4,960lb) chandelier. The outer walls are ornamented with floral and geometric motifs. The synagogue was originally intended to accommodate 1,300 worshippers, but nowadays services are only attended by 50 or 60 people, and services on regular Sabbaths are usually held in a small room off the main gallery. Visitors must ring the bell on the gates for entry.
