A black and white postcard depicting a fragment of the Rzeszów synagogue, based on a photograph taken by Edward Janusz, one of Rzeszów's best-known photographers from the the turn of the 20th century.
The obverse shows the south-west facade of the synagogue with its distinctive cylindrical tower. The reverse is not inscribed. Visible stamp in the middle with the inscription: "fot. E. Janusz w Rzeszowie" [Phot. E. Janusz in Rzeszów] and "Naśladownictwo zastrzeżone" ["Imitation prohibited"].
The synagogue depicted on the postcard was called the Old Town, Old School or Small Synagogue by Rzeszów Jews. It was erected around 1610. Its original appearance was immortalised on a perspective plan of Rzeszów painted in 1762 by Karol Henryk Wiedemann. In its early days, the synagogue served not only a religious function, but also a military one. Due to its location, it was incorporated into the city's defence system. During hostilities, weapons were stored in its interiors, and it also provided shelter for the crew who were defending a designated section of the city fortifications. Over the centuries, numerous annexes have been added to the synagogue building, significantly altering its original shape, and it has been extensively rebuilt on several occasions, including changing the roof covering from wood shingles to tiles in 1698, replacing the tented roof with a gabled one in 1842, as well as demolishing the old women's gallery in 1906-1907 and replacing it with a new one. During the Second World War, the building was completely destroyed. In 1953, it was rebuilt to a design by Zofia Cydzikowa. The former synagogue has housed the Provincial State Archive for many years.
