10 Synagogues You Have to See to Believe

Dohany street synagogue, the great synagogue or tabakgasse synag — Adobe Stock

Jewish history stretches across the globe, and some synagogues capture that journey with extraordinary flair. Think bold domes, hidden stories, rare traditions, and designs you simply do not expect.

These ten unforgettable synagogues invite you inside for a closer look at the creativity and cultural richness woven into Jewish life around the world.

Eldridge Street Synagogue (New York City, USA)

Eldridge Street Synagogue feels like a time capsule tucked inside Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Opened in 1887 by Eastern European immigrants, it later slipped into silence before a dazzling restoration brought it back to life.

Its Romanesque and Moorish Revival glow, radiant stained glass, and ornate woodwork make every visit feel like stepping inside a story that refused to fade.

The Hurva Synagogue (Jerusalem, Israel)

Dome of synagogue Hurva in old city of Jerusalem — Adobe Stock

In the center of Jerusalem’s Jewish Quarter, a bright white dome lifts itself above the rooftops. First built in 1701, destroyed, and rebuilt again and again, the Hurva Synagogue stands as a testament to determination.

Step inside and you feel worship and history interwoven, creating a rare sense of renewal in the Old City.

The Great Synagogue of Budapest (Budapest, Hungary)

Budapest, Hungary - May 26, 2019 - The Interior of the Dohany Street Synagogue, built in 1859, located in Budapest, Hungary. — Adobe Stock

The Great Synagogue of Budapest sweeps you in with pure grandeur. Built in the 1850s, it blends Moorish arches with Byzantine touches and stands as the largest synagogue in Europe.

Its story is both beautiful and bruised, with a Holocaust memorial park, museum, and the shimmering Tree of Life honoring those who were lost.

Abuhav Synagogue (Safed, Israel)

Safed is a city in the Northern District of Israel. Located at an elevation of 900 metres (2,953 ft), Safed is the highest city in the Galilee and of Israel.Due to its high elevation, Safed experiences warm summers and cold, often snowy, winters. Since the sixteenth century, Safed has been considered one of Judaism's Four Holy Cities, along with Jerusalem, Hebron and Tiberias; since that time, the city has remained a center of Kabbalah, also known as Jewish mysticism.The picture shows the interior of the Abuhav Synagogue, a 15th-century synagogue in Safed, Israel, named after 15th-century Spanish rabbi and kabbalist, Isaac Abuhav. Its design is said to be based upon kabbalistic teachings. Photo by Itamar Grinberg. — Wikimedia

In the hilltop calm of Safed, this sixteenth-century synagogue reflects the city’s long connection to Jewish mysticism. Founded by exiled Spanish Jews and named for Rabbi Isaac Abuhav, it brims with Kabbalistic artwork and a treasured Torah scroll.

Visitors come for its history, its beauty, and its unmistakable sense of spiritual depth.