Portuguese Synagogue, Amsterdam
Exterior of the Portugese Synagogue of Amsterdam. Photo by the author.
Interior, with brass chandelier. Photo: Portuguese Synagogue.
Satellite map of the Portuguese Synagogue. For a larger view,
see our Amsterdam Map or Google Earth download.
Sephardic Jews fleeing Spain and Portugal during the 16th and early 17th centuries established a neighborhood east of the center that became known as the Jewish Quarter. Because of the ongoing Dutch-Spanish conflicts, they called themselves "Portuguese Jews" to avoid association with the enemy of their new home.
In 1665 they built the Portugees-Israëlietische Synagoge (Portuguese-Israelite Synagogue or simply Portugese Synagogue), an elegant Ionic-style synagogue within an existing courtyard facing what is now a busy traffic circle.
The total cost of the magnificent building was 186,000 florins, a king's ransom in those days but a small price to pay for the city's Jewish community, whose members could worship openly for the first time in 200 years.
The synagogue was restored slightly in the 1850s and 1950s, but today it looks essentially as it did 320 years ago, laid out in the longitudinal Iberian-Sephardi style with the Ark and bimah at opposite ends of the interior. The floor is covered with fine sand to absorb dust and moisture from shoes and to muffle the noise.
The women's gallery is supported by 12 stone columns to represent the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and large, low-hanging brass chandeliers together hold 1,000 candles, all of which are lit for the private weekly services.
Quick Facts
| Address: | Mr. Visserplein 3, Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Location: | At Waterlooplein |
| Phone: | 020/624-5351 |
| URL: | www.esnoga.com |
| Tram: | Tram: 9 or 14 to Mr. Visserplein |
| Hours: | Apr-Oct Sun-Fri 10am-6pm; Nov-Mar Sun-Thurs 10am-6pm, Fri 10am-3pm. Closed Jewish holidays. |
| Cost: | 5€ ($6.25) adults, 4€ ($5) children 10-15, under 10 free |
Sources
- Personal visit (November 2006; outside only).
- Frommer's Amsterdam
- Fodor's Amsterdam
