Synagogue Mondorf-les-Bains

The Synagogue of Mondorf-les-Bains is a small but significant heritage site in this Luxembourg spa town, standing as one of the last physical traces of a Jewish community that once thrived here. The building sits at 25 rue du Moulin and today serves as a cultural venue rather than a house of worship.

How do you get there?

Mondorf-les-Bains lies in southeastern Luxembourg, right on the border with France, roughly 20 minutes by car from Luxembourg City. The former synagogue stands in a quiet part of town, a short walk from the well-known Mondorf Domaine Thermal spa and the town center. The easiest way in is by car or regional bus, since the town is well connected to the capital.

What will you see?

The building blends Art Nouveau design with Moorish-inspired decorative elements, a combination typical of synagogues built across Europe around the turn of the 20th century. It was formally consecrated on 26 September 1908, in the presence of Rabbi Fuchs. Its construction reflected the growth of small but organized Jewish communities in Luxembourg's provincial towns — similar synagogues went up around the same period in Ettelbruck and Esch-sur-Alzette.

The building suffered serious damage during the First World War. The fate of Luxembourg's Jewish community in the following decades was harsh: between 1940 and 1943, under occupation, many of the country's synagogues were desecrated or destroyed. The Mondorf building survived into the present day, though for decades it no longer served its original religious purpose.

Since 1995 the site has been maintained and administered by the local municipality. It underwent a thorough restoration and reopened as a cultural space in December 2016. That same year, on 5 December, the association "Les Amis de l'Ancienne Synagogue de Mondorf" (Friends of the Old Synagogue of Mondorf) was founded; it has since organized concerts, readings, conferences, and other cultural events inside the building. The structure is often described as a "stone witness" to the Jewish community once established in Mondorf-les-Bains.

It's worth noting that Jewish presence in Luxembourg goes back much further — the earliest documented reference dates to 1276. The community grew over the centuries and numbered around 3,500 people on the eve of the Second World War.

When should you visit?

Since the synagogue now functions as a cultural center rather than a museum with fixed hours, it's best to check the association's current events calendar before visiting — concerts, readings, and conferences run seasonally rather than as a permanent exhibition. A visit pairs naturally with a stay in Mondorf-les-Bains, which draws visitors year-round for its thermal baths and park grounds.

Frequently asked questions

Is the synagogue in Mondorf-les-Bains still used for worship? No. The building has not served a religious function for decades; today it operates as a cultural center run by the municipality and a local association.

When was the synagogue built? It was consecrated on 26 September 1908, in a style combining Art Nouveau with Moorish architectural motifs.

Can visitors enter the building? Yes, though access is generally tied to specific events organized by "Les Amis de l'Ancienne Synagogue de Mondorf" — it's worth checking their program ahead of a visit.

Is there other Jewish heritage to see in Mondorf-les-Bains? The synagogue is the main physical remnant of this history in town. The broader story of Jewish presence in the region dates back to the 13th century and also touches other Luxembourg towns such as Ettelbruck and Esch-sur-Alzette.