Portuguese Synagogue (Amsterdam)

Portuguese Synagogue
Exterior of the Portuguese Synagogue in 2015
Religion
Affiliation	Orthodox Judaism
Rite	Sephardi (Spanish and Portuguese Rite)
Status	Active
Location
Location	Amsterdam, Netherlands
Location in the city centre of Amsterdam
Geographic coordinates	52°22′03″N 4°54′19″E / 52.3675°N 4.9054°E / 52.3675; 4.9054
Architecture
Architect(s)	Elias Bouwman
Type	Synagogue
Groundbreaking	April 17, 1671
Completed	August 2, 1675
Website
portugesegemeente.nl

The Portuguese Synagogue, also known as the Esnoga, or Snoge, is a late 17th-century Sephardic synagogue in Amsterdam, completed in 1675. Esnoga is the word for synagogue in Judaeo-Spanish, the traditional Judaeo-Spanish language of Sephardi Jews.

The Amsterdam Sephardic community was one of the largest and richest Jewish communities in Europe during the Dutch Golden Age, and their very large synagogue reflected this. The synagogue remains an active place of worship and has been a popular tourist attraction since it was constructed in the late 17th century, when it drew Christian tourists from many countries. The congregation allowed visitation of non-Jews and its opulence was a reflection of the importance of sacred worship to the congregation as well as signaling to all the wealth of the Portuguese Jewish community.^[1]