Delft Synagogue

The synagogue in Delft was built in 1862 in a neoclassic style with an Ionic temple facade. Following World War II the Jewish community was strained and the building was unused. In 1996 the synagogue was brought back for use by the Reconstructionist Open Jewish Congregation Klal Yisrael with frequent services on shabbat and Holidays.

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Willy Lindwer

Wagenstraat Synagogue in Den Haag

The synagogue is located behind the private residences of the Wagenstraat. It was consecrated in the year 1844. It replaced an older synagogue which was situated at the Voldersgracht (dated ca. 1721/23). The Neo-Classical main façade includes a cornice and triangular pediment with a tondo window. The entrance itself is also adorned with a triangular pediment is supported by Tuscan columns. Rounded arched windows can be found in the side walls of the building. The entrance originally contained an unknown Hebrew inscription and the date 5604 (1844 CE) but these were removed in the year 1981. The synagogue was oriented along the short axis which meant that the Torah ark was situated against the long southeastern wall. The bimah was placed at the center of the assembly hall, facing the Torah ark. The building, including the galleries which are supported by slender Ionic columns, were expanded in 1922. The complex was expanded with the establishment of an administrative building and a second synagogue along the Nieuwe Molstraat (demolished in 1981), designed by the architect H. Elte Phzn in the architectural style of the Amsterdam School. The interior of the synagogue was damaged by fire during the Second World War in 1944. Three years later, the building was again consecrated as a synagogue after which the Jewish religious services resumed. In 1976, the building became abandoned and was subsequently sold to the municipality of The Hague. The decorated Torah ark (ca. 1723) was removed and relocated to Israel in the same year. The building was repurposed as a mosque which opened its doors in the year 1979. The front façade of the building received Arabic inscriptions and two large steel minarets were placed in the forecourt of the building.

Wikimedia Commons/Steven Lek

Grote of Sint-Jacobskerk

This important church, located on the Torenstraat in The Hague is the site of baptisms and marriages of members of the house of Orange-Nassau, including the current King and Princess of the Netherlands. Also know as the Great Church of St. James, this church was built in the 13th century, possibly of wood, before being converted into a brick structure. The church was badly damaged by a fire in 1539, and after a visit by Charles V, the Holy Roman Emporer, new stained glass windows were sponsored by him personally. In addition to this, this church contains the tombs of several famous people from Dutch history.

Willy Lindwer

Esnoga Portuguese Synagogue

The Portuguese synagogue was consecrated in 1726 based on a design by Daniel Marot in the late style of Louis XIV. The layout of the building is rectangular in shape and its façade is divided by the colossal order of pilasters, spanning the entire height of the building. The monumental entrance includes a classical fronton which contains the Hebrew verse referring to Psalm 84:2 and the date 5486 (1726 CE). The interior is divided into three aisles with the use of Ionic columns which support the women's gallery. In line with the Sephardic layout of synagogues, the bimah (teva) is not positioned at the center of the building but closer to the entrance and the benches face the main aisle instead of the Torah ark. The layout of this Sephardic synagogue is similar to the layout of the Portuguese synagogue in Amsterdam. After the Second World War, the building became abandoned for a long period of time. It was bought by the Liberaal Joodse Gemeente in 1972 and subsequently renovated in 1974/76 and 1992/93.