Old Synagogue (Essen)

Museum Former synagogue now memorializing Essen's Jewish community

Large prewar synagogue in Essen now preserved as a memorial and cultural centre; visitors come for Jewish history exhibits, architecture and educational programming.

Main image

The Old Synagogue in Essen is a former Jewish house of worship that today serves as a cultural and memorial site in the city. It is an important local monument to the history of Essen’s Jewish community.

Exhibition spaces present documentation and displays about Jewish history, culture, and the local community’s experiences. The building is used for commemorative events and educational programming rather than regular religious services.

Originally constructed as a synagogue for Essen’s Jewish community, the building’s function changed over the 20th century and it was later repurposed as a site of remembrance and culture. The structure stands as part of the city’s efforts to preserve and interpret Jewish heritage.

The Old Synagogue is located in the city of Essen in North Rhine-Westphalia, in the urban core of the city where it is accessible from the surrounding downtown areas.

  • Cultural and memorial role: The site functions as a cultural center and memorial with exhibitions and educational programming about Jewish life and history in the region.
Old Synagogue (Essen)
51.4564, 7.0167

How to Get to Old Synagogue (Essen) #

The Old Synagogue (Alte Synagoge) is in central Essen and is walkable from Essen Hauptbahnhof (the main rail station) - roughly a 5-10 minute walk depending on your pace. Get to Essen Hbf by regional train or S‑Bahn, then continue on foot; numerous local trams and buses serve stops around the Hauptbahnhof and city center if you prefer not to walk.

Best Time to Visit Old Synagogue (Essen) #

Visit the Old Synagogue on weekdays or during off-peak months to avoid crowds and have a calmer indoor experience.

Off-peak weekdays
Nov-Mar (and weekdays year-round) · 0-10°C (typical Essen winter)
Fewer visitors and a quieter experience inside the synagogue/museum - good for focused visits and photography.
Tourist season / school holidays
May-Sep (and major holidays like Dec/Jan) · 10-25°C
Warmer months and school holidays bring more local and regional visitors; expect higher footfall on weekends and during cultural events.

Weather & Climate near Old Synagogue (Essen) #

Climate

Old Synagogue (Essen)'s climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 24°C. Moderate rainfall (925 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 49 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
39°
Warmest Month
-17°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

82 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
8.2h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

60 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

62 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
13.7h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
19°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

70 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
15.4h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with 92 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
12° 22°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

92 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
16.3h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
14° 24°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

83 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
15.9h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

77 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
High
14.4h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
11° 19°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

79 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
14°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

74 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.5h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

80 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.7h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

90 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.7h daylight

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