Synagogue de Benfeld

The Synagogue of Benfeld is a small but remarkable Jewish house of worship in the heart of Benfeld, a town in the Bas-Rhin department of Alsace. Standing on rue de la Dîme, the building holds a distinction almost unique among Alsatian synagogues: it survived the Second World War essentially intact, at a time when most similar buildings in the region were ransacked.

How did the synagogue come to be?

Benfeld's Jewish community began organizing in the 1830s, and as its numbers grew, members decided to build a dedicated house of prayer. The first synagogue building went up in 1845 and was formally inaugurated on 1 May 1846. Within a few decades the space proved too small for the growing congregation, so in 1875 two side galleries were added — an unusual feature rarely found in other synagogues of the region and still considered one of the building's most distinctive traits today.

The following decades brought further additions to the interior. In 1895 local organ builder Charles Wetzel and Son installed a mechanical-action organ, and in 1922 painter Achille Metzger, a native of Benfeld, decorated the prayer hall with murals. These decorations, drawing on Middle Eastern-inspired ornamentation, give the interior a character that stands in sharp contrast with the plain, understated facade outside.

What will you see inside?

The contrast between exterior and interior is one of the synagogue's main draws. The facade is modest and largely unadorned, typical of rural religious architecture from that period. Step inside, though, and the mood changes completely: the prayer hall is decorated in an orientalizing style that was popular in 19th-century Jewish architecture, with rich colors and motifs drawing on Middle Eastern art. The surviving 1875 side galleries and the historic Wetzel organ round out the building's distinctive character.

Why is this synagogue exceptional?

During the German occupation of 1940–1944, nearly every synagogue in Alsace was desecrated or destroyed by occupying forces. Benfeld's synagogue is one of the very few that escaped this fate. It owes its survival to the courage of the town's secretary, Eugène Gutapfel, backed by mayor Henri Doll, who together managed to prevent the building from being ransacked. As a result, the original interior — including the murals and the organ — has come down to us essentially unchanged, making this synagogue a rare, unaltered witness to the region's Jewish heritage. The building has been listed as a historic monument since 1984, with the protection extended to additional elements in 2015.

When and how can you visit?

The synagogue isn't a museum with daily opening hours — visits are arranged for groups by prior appointment. It's a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in Alsatian Jewish history or religious architecture, especially travelers spending more time in the Ried area who want to combine the visit with other sights in Benfeld, such as its historic town walls and old market square.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit the synagogue on my own? Not really — visits are organized mainly for groups and require booking in advance through the local tourist office or town hall.

What makes this synagogue different from others in Alsace? It's one of the few synagogues in the region that wasn't ransacked during the Second World War, meaning its original interior — including the 1922 murals and 1895 organ — has survived intact.

Is the building a protected monument? Yes, it has been listed as a French historic monument since 1984, with expanded protection added in 2015.

Where exactly is the synagogue located? It stands on rue de la Dîme in the center of Benfeld, a town in the Bas-Rhin department, not far from Strasbourg.