Fascinating Synagogues to Visit in Europe

by Kosher River Cruise Kosher Tour Operator

Jewish vacations might not be popular or recommended during this wild year of 2020, but the next years could be different. Maintaining a sense of wonder and curiosity is a fine thing to do, even as the stagnation of the indoors can make following one’s ennui so tempting. It has been more than a few months since we’ve been discouraged to leave the house often so of course we’ve started to yearn for the things that we used to do, such as travel. One way to satiate such a yearning is to make an itinerary for all your planned future vacations.

A cultural tour of Europe is one of the most enriching kinds of tourist vacations pre-pandemic, and with regards to Jewish culture, you’ll have plenty of room to cover. Besides preserved Jewish quarters and museums that detailed the stories of Jewish communities, one of the best destinations for Jewish travels are synagogues. Here are a few notable synagogues that you should totally visit in the future.

Esnoga, Amsterdam (The Netherlands)

The Esnoga, or the Portugese Synagogue, is a fascinating place of faith that you can find in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. Born from the Sephardic Jews who fled the Iberian Peninsula in the wake of the 1492 Expulsion, the Esnoga was the result of the Amsterdam Sephardic communities’ prosperity. The Esnoga had a close call during World War 2, when it would have been the main office for deportation, but smart maneuvering by canny Jewish fire brigade prevented such a site from being defiled like that. Nowadays, the Esnoga is a widely-used place of worship and also a popular tourist destination.

Dohany Street Synagogue, Budapest (Hungary)

There are many places in the world that were dubbed “The Great Synagogue,” and the one in Dohany Street is one of the best ones. Also known as the Tabakgasse Synagogue, this place can be found in the vibrant city of Budapest, which in turn is found along the Danube, perfect for future kosher river cruises. This synagogue boasts a variety of architectural styles, from Gothic to Byzantine, and also houses a Jewish museum and a Holocaust memorial park.