Hollandse Synagoge, Moorish Revival synagogue in southern Antwerp, Belgium.
The Hollandse Synagoge is a prayer house with a Moorish Revival design, recognizable by its striped exterior and two square domed towers that frame a central rose window. Inside, the main prayer hall divides into three sections, with galleries running along three walls and an organ positioned in the upper gallery space.
The synagogue was built in 1893 as the first large Jewish place of worship in the city. During World War II, a bomb damaged the structure severely in 1944, leaving marks that would require later restoration efforts.
The building became a center for the local Jewish community who gathered here to worship and observe their traditions in this part of the city. The layout with galleries for women on three sides reflects how the space was designed for their religious practices.
The building underwent major restoration from 2017 to 2022, which included reinforcing the foundations, replacing floors, and refreshing the exterior. Visitors will find the interior has been fully modernized while maintaining its original structure.
During recent restoration work, craftspeople uncovered the original painted decorations on the walls, which had been hidden under layers of paint for many decades. These revived designs reveal fine details that had been lost from view.
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