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.
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.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Edinburgh. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation on Map
Sight Name: Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation
Sight Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (See walking tours in Edinburgh)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (See walking tours in Edinburgh)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Edinburgh, Scotland
Create Your Own Walk in Edinburgh
Creating your own self-guided walk in Edinburgh is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
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
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
Comfortably yet tightly packed on the hilly terrain, Edinburgh – the Scottish capital since at least the 15th century, and the seat of the Scottish Parliament since 1999 – is a picturesque city renowned for its unique architecture of the medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town, currently both listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The earliest known human habitation in the area dates... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
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
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
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
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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