Old Synagogue, Egyptian Revival synagogue in Canterbury, England.
The Old Synagogue in Canterbury is a religious building designed in Egyptian Revival style with lotus-shaped columns and decorative obelisks inside. The central bimah and women's gallery are still visible, showing how the space was originally organized for worship.
The cornerstone was laid in 1847 by Sir Moses Montefiore, replacing an earlier synagogue that had stood on this site since 1763. It was built on the grounds of a former Knights Templar hospice, with medieval stonework still visible in the garden walls nearby.
The building served as the heart of Canterbury's Jewish community and remains a reminder of the city's diverse religious past. Visitors walking through notice how the space still carries the marks of its original purpose despite its current use.
The building is now used by King's School as a music recital hall, so visits may be limited to special occasions or by appointment. It helps to check ahead before planning a visit since regular access is not always available.
This is the only example of Egyptian Revival architecture among religious buildings in the entire United Kingdom. The choice of this unusual style for a building of this kind makes it a rare treasure of Victorian religious design.
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