Roof-top synagogue

The Roof-top synagogue is a private place of worship built on the roof of 26 Brunswick Terrace in Hove, featuring an octagonal shape with glass walls and a dome overhead. The compact interior held benches for a small number of worshippers, creating an enclosed setting for prayer.

Philip Salomons built this private place of worship in 1852 following a fire that affected his residence. The structure sparked discussion within the community about whether private worship spaces should be accepted as legitimate.

The space reflected private Jewish devotion and followed Ashkenazi ritual practices. It served as a personal place for religious observance rooted in Eastern European Jewish traditions.

The site is privately located on a residential rooftop and not open for regular visits. You can view the distinctive octagonal structure and dome from the street level and coastal promenade below.

The octagonal dome replicates the architectural design of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. This choice to reference a sacred Islamic site within a Jewish house of prayer shows an unusual creative approach that speaks to artistic vision and respect for other traditions.