The first synagogue built in Portugal since the forced conversions in 1497

After two years of construction, in May of 1904, the Jews of Lisbon were able to inaugurate their synagogue. Miguel Ventura Terra, one of the greatest Portuguese architects of that time, designed the building. However, the synagogue had to be surrounded by an external wall because the construction of places of worship facing the street, other than Roman Catholic, was not permitted.

Shaare Tikvah was the first synagogue built in Portugal since the forced conversions in 1497 and was the culmination of the long process to gain recognition for the Jewish Community and its right to build a synagogue. Classified as a “building of public interest ” in 1996, the Shaare Tikvah Synagogue celebrated its centennial with important restoration work, the creation of a Jewish museum and several cultural events.

The 2nd balcony was added after an influx of Jewish refugees fleeing the Holocaust. It was not long until this surge of immigrants moved on. At its zenith the Lisbon Jewish community numbered about 200 members. In 2013 there are about 300 members including approximately 100 children. The synagogue has 24 torahs and an amazing collection of rimonim.