The Synagogue in Enschede
Prinsestraat, a quiet street not far from Enschede city centre, is home to one of the most beautiful synagogues in Western Europe. This synagogue, designed by the architect Karel P.C. de Bazel, was completed in the year 1928. Ironically, de Bazel did not live to see his creation take shape — he died in 1923. Rather miraculously, the synagogue survived the Second World War relatively unscathed and in 2004, after an extensive, full-scale restoration, it was reopened to the public. Even though the Jewish population of Enschede has dwindled to less than 100 at present, this state monument still stands true to the meaning of the word synagogue, which is of Greek origin— it continues to serve as a meeting place and as a place to study and pray.
