Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation, Edinburgh

Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation, Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Synagogue, which opened in 1932, is situated on Salisbury Road in Edinburgh's Newington district. This synagogue serves as the base for the Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation (EHC), established in 1816. Before this building's inauguration, the congregation met in a repurposed chapel on Graham Street, used since 1898.

The Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation, the city's earliest synagogue, started in 1817 at Richmond Court for about 20 families. As the congregation expanded, they moved to larger premises at Park Place in 1868, and later to Graham Street in 1898.

From 1881 to 1914, Edinburgh saw a significant influx of immigrants, introducing diverse religious practices and leading to the formation of new congregations. Some of these immigrants were from within Britain. For instance, in 1879, Hasidic Jews from Manchester, employed at the Caledonian Rubber Works in Fountainbridge, established a synagogue in Dalry's Caledonian Crescent, catering to roughly 35 families.

The construction of the current synagogue began on May 3, 1931, with Walter Samuel, the 2nd Viscount Bearsted, laying the foundation stone. Taking 15 months to complete, the synagogue was inaugurated on September 11, 1932, by Chief Rabbi Joseph Hertz. Designed by James Miller, a distinguished Glasgow architect known for his commercial and railway station designs, this synagogue is his only work in Edinburgh.

The synagogue, accommodating up to 1,000 people and including a mikveh, features a red brick façade in a simplified Byzantine style. Its design highlights a large central dome, supported by steel hangers from a flat roof, allowing natural light to fill the interior.

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Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation on Map

Sight Name: Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation
Sight Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (See walking tours in Edinburgh)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Edinburgh, Scotland

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Harry Potter Trail

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
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Old Town Walking Tour

Old Town Walking Tour

The historical center of Edinburgh, popularly known as the Old Town, is indeed the oldest part of the Scottish capital. Most of the buildings here, made of stone and characterized by numerous tall windows, have been around since the Middle Ages and are covered with soot, left over from the days long gone, when houses were heated with hard-coal and wood. Hence the prevailing gray color in the area....  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Edinburgh Pub Crawl

Edinburgh Pub Crawl

Edinburgh is rich in pubs, both old and new, spoiling their patrons with the best in town drinks and food. Although most traditional pubs in the city are laid back, with a quiet and relaxing atmosphere, some have dance floors and double as nightclubs. This self-guided adventure takes you to several such spots, each with its own story to tell.

Our journey begins at the World's End Pub, a...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Edinburgh Introduction Walking Tour

Edinburgh Introduction Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Famous Squares and Streets Walking Tour

Famous Squares and Streets Walking Tour

Being in Edinburgh, it is only natural to be curious about the avenues, boulevards, and streets leading to (or stemming from) the city's picturesque squares. There, you can find a copious amount of historic and religious sites, fashion stores, classy restaurants, and marketplaces, not to mention some hidden gems, exploring which is well worth the time spent.

One of Edinburgh's most...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
New Town Walking Tour

New Town Walking Tour

Rightly regarded as the historic masterpiece of city planning, the New Town of Edinburgh has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. The area forms a significant part of the Scottish capital and is known for its elegant Georgian architecture, abundant shopping opportunities, and many other delights firmly associated with this city.

One of the prominent landmarks in the New Town is...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

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