12 Historic Synagogues of the World

This curated list of 12 historic synagogues showcases architectural marvels spanning centuries and continents, spanning the oldest synagogues to geographical extremes to breathtaking, ornate structures worldwide. They highlight the rich, diverse history of Jewish heritage.

The Old Synagogue in Erfurt Germany is the oldest synagogue structure that is still standing in the world. Dating back to the late 11th century, the synagogue is one of the best-preserved Medieval synagogues in Europe. It is now a museum; it has not been used as a synagogue for centuries.

Photo: Creative Commons

The Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca in Toledo, Spain, is the second oldest synagogue structure that is still standing in the world. The synagogue was built in 1190, by Islamic architects in the Mudejar style for Jewish use. It has not been used as a synagogue for centuries.

Photo: Creative Commons

The Dunedin Synagogue in North Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand is the world's most southern permanent synagogue. The congregation's first synagogue was completed in 1863. Today, the Dunedin Jewish Congregation is a Progressive Jewish community. 

Photo credit: GNU Free Documentation License

The Great Synagogue in the city of Plzeň, Czech Republic, is the second largest synagogue in Europe, and the 3rd largest synagogue in the world. The Viennese architect Max Fleischer drew up the original plans for the synagogue in Gothic style and with twin towers that are 213 ft tall. 

Photo:  Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Generic license.

The Ramban Synagogue in Jerusalem is the second oldest active synagogue in Jerusalem. The synagogue has an Orthodox Jewish congregation and is located in the Jewish Quarter of Old City of Jerusalem. The synagogue building dates from c. 1400; it was founded by the Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman, in 1267.

Photo Source: Daniel Ventura

The synagogue at Umm el-Umdan, Israel is the oldest synagogue within modern Israel. It was found at an archaeological site between Modi'in and Latrun, The synagogue existed between the end of the 2nd and the late 1st century BCE, during the Hasmonean period. 

Photo Credit: Anatavita

Maghain Aboth Synagogue, Singapore, is the oldest and largest Jewish synagogue in Southeast Asia and the 2nd largest in Asia itself, outside of Israel. Its congregation is a Hasidic Jewish congregation. The synagogue is located in the Central Area of Singapore and was constructed in 1878.

Photo credit: Gaurav.

The Trondheim Synagogue in Trondheim, Norway, is the second-northernmost synagogue in the world, located at 63°25′N. The synagogue was erected in 1925 and has a congregation that dates back to 1892.

Photo Source: Olivier Lévy

The Paradesi Synagogue or the Mattancherry Synagogue in Kochi India is India’s oldest active synagogue. It is located in a suburb of the city of Kochi, Kerala, in India. It was built in 1568 A.D. it is the oldest active synagogue in India. 

Photo credit: jeem from Saint Louis, United States

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The Gardens Shul, South Africa, is the oldest Jewish congregation in South Africa. Formally the Cape Town Hebrew Congregation also called the Great Synagogue, the synagogue has an Orthodox Jewish congregation. It was established in 1841 and is located in the Gardens neighborhood of Cape Town, South Africa

Photo Credit: Creative Commons

The Grand Choral Synagogue of Saint Petersburg is an Orthodox Jewish synagogue that was completed in 1888 and consecrated in 1893. The architects chose the Moorish Revival style for its design, with its mélange of Moorish and Byzantine motifs.

 This photo: Free Art License.

The Magen David Synagogue, India, or the "Shield of David" is located at the junction of Brabourne Road and Canning Street in Kolkata, India. The synagogue is one of two operating synagogues in Kolkata, the other is the Beth El Synagogue. Maghen David Synagogue was built in 1884. The synagogue is built in the Italian Renaissance style with a brick red finish.  

Photo credit: Biswarup Ganguly