REPURPOSED SYNAGOGUE IN GOTSE DELCHEV

The Jewish community of Gotse Delchev, then Nevrokop, built itself a synagogue in 1939. That red-brick building still stands near the modern bus station. As it is surrounded by small shops, it is easy to overlook unless you keep your eyes open for the distinct Judaic dome with a Star of David on top of it. 

The story of the Nevrokop synagogue is that bitter-sweet parable of how Jewish fate swung between good fortune and disaster throughout the centuries of Jewish presence in the Bulgarian lands. In the late 1940s-early 1950s the synagogue was sold to the Baruh family, the only Jews living in town. Although it was declared a monument of culture, it was turned into living quarters. Its hall was converted into two residential floors, the upper floor being an apartment while the lower floor was used as a warehouse. 

It remains so to this day. The lower level of what used to be the synagogue's hall of prayer, including the Aron HaKodesh, is full of cardboard boxes. Walk up the staircase into the apartment quarters and you will be able to see a starry sky still remaining on the inner side of the dome. It has been heavily damaged by damp and mould. The space under the dome is used as an attic. The former synagogue was delisted as a monument of culture in 2008.