The building dates from the 16th century and was nominated for UNESCO World Heritage listing in 2007.

[4] The Jewish community built another synagogue in the eclectic and Moorish style from 1902 to 1905.

[6] Jews played a very significant role in city life as industrialists, merchants, craftsmen, owners of printing houses, doctors, and teachers.

For this reason Grodno was considered to be one of the Jewish intellectual capitals of Europe.

The synagogue was returned to the Jewish community in 1991; and was subsequently restored[4][7] under the direction of Rabbi Yitzchok Kofman.