The Portuguese Synagogue, also called the Esnoga, is a working Sephardic synagogue in Amsterdam’s Jewish Cultural Quarter. Completed in 1675, its large timber-roofed interior is lit by candles and daylight rather than electric lights. Look for the original wooden pews, stone columns and Torah ark, then explore other rooms in the courtyard complex, including the treasury, winter synagogue and ritual bath. An included multilingual audio guide explains the synagogue’s history and the objects on display.
Built for Amsterdam’s Sephardic community
The Portuguese Synagogue, known as the Esnoga or Snoge, was completed in 1675 for Amsterdam’s Sephardic Jewish community. Its members included Jews who had left Spain and Portugal amid religious persecution. The building was designed by Elias Bouman and inspired by the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem.
The synagogue was built on a large scale for its time. Its red-brick exterior stands within a courtyard complex in the Jewish Cultural Quarter, east of Amsterdam’s city centre. The building remains an active synagogue, so it is both a historic site and a place of worship.
The candlelit main hall
Inside, the timber ceiling, stone columns, wooden pews and Torah ark preserve the character of the original building. The synagogue has no electric lighting. Candles and light from the large windows illuminate the hall, so the atmosphere changes with the daylight.
The main room is only one part of the site. The courtyard complex includes a winter synagogue, a treasury, a ritual bath and other rooms. Walk around the whole complex to see these spaces rather than leaving after viewing the main hall. The treasury holds historical objects, while the multilingual audio guide provides context as you explore.
Ets Haim and the wider complex
The Ets Haim library is another notable part of the complex. It is among the world’s oldest libraries and gives the visit a closer look at the community’s learning and cultural life.
An audio guide is included with admission and is available in multiple languages. Set aside about an hour if you want to see the synagogue and its associated rooms. On a sunny day, daylight through the large windows is especially noticeable. Candlelit concerts are also held on some dates; check whether one is scheduled if you are planning around a performance.
Perguntas frequentes
Is the Portuguese Synagogue still in use?
Yes. It remains a working synagogue for Amsterdam’s Portuguese Jewish community.
How long should I allow for a visit?
About an hour is enough to explore the main hall and the wider complex.
Is an audio guide available?
Yes. A multilingual audio guide is included with admission.
What else is there to see besides the main hall?
The complex includes the Ets Haim library, a treasury, a winter synagogue, a ritual bath and other rooms.
