Old Synagogue (Essen)
Alte Synagoge Essen
Completed in 1913, one of Germany's largest synagogues. It survived the arson of Kristallnacht and now houses a Jewish cultural centre.
Designed by Edmund Körner, this imposing synagogue was one of Europe's largest Jewish houses of worship when it opened in 1913. Its interior was burned during Kristallnacht in 1938, but the sturdy stone shell survived. After postwar restoration it became a Jewish cultural centre, with a permanent exhibition on Jewish religious festivals and daily life. It stands in the city centre, a few minutes' walk from the Minster. Admission is free or low-cost, and it is closed on Mondays.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00; closed Mon
Nearby sights
- Essen Minster
- Museum Folkwang
- Ruhr Museum
- Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex
- Grugapark
- Red Dot Design Museum
- Margarethenhöhe
- Villa Hügel