In the heart of the old Jewish neighbourhood stands the Portuguese Synagogue. The biggest synagogue in the world when it was built in the 17th century. Jews still worship here to this day, but whenever this wonderful building isn’t being used for services it’s open for you to visit.
Everyone is welcome. Whether you’re Jewish or not. A visit to the Portuguese Synagogue is a breathtaking experience. Everything has been kept just as it was in the 17th century. Instead of electric lights, the synagogue is lit by hundreds of candles.
The Jewish Museum is a beautiful, high-profile museum that occupies four monumental synagogue buildings in the middle of the Jewish Cultural Quarter. It provides a unique picture of past and present Dutch Jewish life in all its facets. The museum has an extensive collection of items ranging from paintings to films, and from utensils to 3D presentations. At any one time there are also two temporary exhibitions on display.
At the heart of the Jewish Cultural Quarter stands the majestic Portuguese Synagogue. The building is still used for religious services, but it is also open to the public. It hosts frequent candlelight concerts. Hundreds of candles illuminate the perfectly intact 17th-century interior. Visitors to the smaller buildings in the complex will find treasure chambers containing a unique collection of ceremonial objects made of silver, gold, brocade, and silk. The world’s oldest functioning Jewish library is also here: Ets Haim Livraria Montezinos, which is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
The Jewish Museum junior is a museum created especially for younger visitors inside the Jewish Museum. Here children can get to know something about Jewish life and Jewish tradition in an entertaining way. The museum’s interior is set up like the home of Jewish family. Every day children can bake mini-hallahs (braided bread rolls) in the kosher kitchen, learn a bit of Hebrew in the study, or play tunes together in the music room.
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Be sure to check the opening hours of the Portuguese Synagogue at https://jck.nl/en/page/opening-hours