The Jewish community in Vienna existed in the middle ages and during its long and turbulent history has experienced many sad pages. Perhaps the 19th century turned out to be the most favorable for Viennese Jews, who had by that time already quite a significant position in the society and played an important role in the cultural and scientific life of Vienna. To this period belongs the construction of the famous synagogue of Stadttempel, known as the Vienna synagogue.

The synagogue was built in 1824-1826 by the famous architect Josef Kornheiser in the Biedermeier style. According to the decree issued by Emperor Joseph II, only the facades of Catholic places of worship could go directly on the main street, so the synagogue, which was located virtually in the center of the city, was hidden behind built at the same time, houses, and structurally was part of an apartment house №4 along the street Seitenstettengasse. However, it is this fact and subsequently saved the synagogue from destruction during the tragic events of the so-called Kristallnacht in November 1938. She also became the only synagogue in Vienna, who survived the pogroms of the Nazis during the Second world war. In memory of those killed in 2002 in the lobby of the synagogue was the memorial.

The building of the Vienna Synagogue is an elegant domed structure oval. Oval and has an impressive prayer hall with twelve ionic columns that support a two-level gallery for women.

Today the synagogue Stadttempel is the main religious center of the Vienna Jewish community, as well as important historical and architectural monument.