The Moorish Revival and Rundbogenstil styled-building was designed by Ignacy Hercok, and built in 1860–1862 along Miodowa Street.

The temple, with its tall central section flanked by lower wings, is designed on the pattern of the Leopoldstädter Tempel, in Vienna, Austria.

The arch over the Aron Kodesh with its pattern of alternating tall and short houses is more in the style of Polish folk art than anything Islamic.

The synagogue was desecrated during World War II by the German Nazis, who used the building as ammunition storage area.

A large inflow of financial contributions from private donors around the world allowed the synagogue to undergo a vast renovation from 1995 until 2000.