The Great Synagogue impressed with its magnitude. The height of the building from the outside had been restricted by Christian prohibitions, institutionalized throughout Europe since the Middle Ages, specifying that synagogues should be no taller or more splendid than Catholic Churches. These same requirements were included in the privilege which permitted the construction of the Great Synagogue of Vilnius. To follow the prohibition and yet create an exclusive appearance in their prayer house, Jews came up with a solution – the floor level of this building, as well as other synagogues, was set well below the level of the street due to a deeper foundation. This way, in a relatively low-rise building, the sensation of space and magnificence was created. The synagogue was also admired due to its exclusive interior: exceptionally ornate bimah and aron kodesh. The Great Synagogue became an important space for religious and community life. Gradually its courtyard – shulhoyf (שולהױף) – became densely packed with buildings of different functions. At the beginning of the 20th century, the courtyard accommodated twelve prayer houses, a complex of community bathhouses with mikvah, public toilets, a water well, a butcher selling kosher meat, places for the societies of sacred texts and the famous Mattityahu Strashun library, which you can examine in a three dimensional visualization in front of the Synagogue. For a long time, this courtyard contained the whole life of Vilnius Jews – it was the busiest and the nosiest place in the quarter. Personal and community matters were tackled, local breaking news were exchanged as well as the news brought by merchants from the abroad discussed. This place of extraordinary aura and importance constantly attracted rabbis and scientists, poets and romantics, philosophers and politicians. To the astonishment of many, the premises of the synagogue had been visited by Napoleon Bonaparte himself in 1812, and after 34 years – by Moses Montefiore.