Lengnau synagogue: Renewed Jewish pride

Proudly and clearly visible on the village square, with an imposing façade, the Lengnau synagogue embodied the Jewish community’s growing pride and is still regarded as a milestone in Jewish architecture. When the synagogue opened in 1847, there were already 500 Jews in the Lengnau community. 

A history written in stone

The building was designed by the young Zurich architect Ferdinand Stadler, who later became known for churches. He designed the church in the neo-Romanesque style. A striking feature is the towering round arch connecting the entrance with the central window. Above it hangs a clock – an unusual feature for a synagogue.

A look inside

The interior space impresses with its three naves held up by slender wooden supports and its surrounding galleries where the women prayed. The walls are adorned with elaborate ornaments created by artists from northern Germany.

A historical play of colours

Over the years, the synagogue has been restored several times: the façade from 1983 to 1984, the interior from 1995 to 1997, and, most recently, the outer shell in 2022. Every effort was made to preserve the original appearance as much as possible. Today, the building is once again soft beige with bright white accents. Based on photographic evidence, this was the original colour scheme. The synagogue has been a canton-protected registered historical landmark since 1963.