Rykestrasse Synagogue

Rykestrasse Synagogue is a house of worship in Prenzlauer Berg with a red brick facade in Romanesque Revival style and contains a large prayer hall with ornate interior details. The building continues to serve the local Jewish community and opens periodically for visitor tours.

The building opened in 1904 and became one of Berlin's most important Jewish sites until it sustained damage during the November 1938 pogrom. It survived destruction because of its location within a residential neighborhood, allowing for repairs and restoration in the following decades.

The synagogue serves as a center of Jewish life in the neighborhood, where members gather regularly for services and religious celebrations throughout the year. The spaces reflect decades of shared community history and continue to connect past traditions with present-day practice.

The building is best visited during organized guided tours offered at set times that provide access to the interior spaces. Visitors should check ahead, as opening times vary and the building remains an active place of worship with restricted access at certain times.

The exterior survived the 1938 pogrom night largely intact through fortunate circumstances and neighborhood protection, while the interior suffered severe damage - a rare example of Berlin's surviving Jewish heritage. The Yemenite-style lamp in the prayer hall dates to the original construction and connects visitors to its earliest days.

Location: Pankow

Inception: 1904

Architectural style: Romanesque Revival architecture

Capacity: 1074

Address: Rykestraße 53, Berlin

GPS coordinates: 52.53538,13.41860

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:43