Thanks to Mindaugas Veliulis (Chief specialist of the Cultural Heritage Department of the community of  Pakruojis ) we were constantly updated regarding the progress of the restauration of the Pakruojis synagogue, finished in March/ April 2017.  

In August 2017 Mindaugas guided us through the building.

He told us that after the war the building was used as a sports hall (1954) and later as a cinema (1970) 

He explained about the discoveries of hidden pieces with fragments of old drawings, the successful  efforts to remake the original blue patterned wallpaper and the choices of the colours of the stained glass.

Here and there one can see old parts of the building. For example at the back (outside) a part in the wall shows the old wooden wall.

backside showing a  piece of the original wall with stained glass window

an original window pane 

The place of the Aron Hakodesh is symbolized by a picture and a drawing on the wall

The upper walls and ceiling is full of coloured paintings. Carefully repainted after the existing pictures and found fragments of the original drawings.

The original painting of the train was made round 1900

The women ‘s gallery has been restored as well. According to the old model a railing has been remade. Over the railing is an original old beam painted with snakeskin pattern. Under the railing more animals have been (re)painted.

The decorated railing of the women's gallery 

A display on several  Jewish items has been established in January 2018

The synagogue is open to visitors

*)

*)Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krKHvkY82IE

A lecture on “The Land of Wooden synagogues” by Vladimir Levin.
Center for Jewish Art, Hebrew University of Jerusalem.