Synagogue of Enschede

The synagogue was built during the interwar period. It consists of three domed brick buildings reminiscent of buildings from northern Africa and the Middle East. It is an active synagogue. Inside you can see the prayer room and the commune office.

The Jewish community lived in Enschede from the mid-seventeenth century. At the beginning of the 20th century it grew to such an extent that the old, small synagogue became insufficient to house the faithful. The new synagogue was designed by Karel de Bazel. During the war it was confiscated by the Germans, but fortunately it was not completely destroyed. After the war, it was returned to the Jewish community.

The synagogue is built of light brick. Above the main entrance there is a tall frieze with oriental patterns made of bricks. Similar ornaments are found at the top of the walls. The main prayer room is covered by the largest of the domes. Inside, you can see polychromies with the signs of the zodiac. A huge brass candlestick hangs here. The windows have colorful stained glass windows depicting symbolic biblical animals and images of synagogues from other Dutch cities. The synagogue in Enschede is one of the most beautiful in Western Europe.