Synagogue of Arlon

The Synagogue of Arlon is the oldest surviving synagogue in Belgium and one of the country's most significant 19th-century Jewish heritage buildings. Located in Arlon, the capital of Luxembourg Province, it stands as a lasting testament to the local Jewish community that once thrived there.

Where did Arlon's Jewish community come from?

Jewish families began settling in Arlon in the early 19th century, many arriving from the neighboring Lorraine region of France. When Belgium gained independence in 1830, the community numbered only 31 people. Over the following decades it grew steadily, with most families earning their living through the cattle and grain trade — a common occupation among Jewish communities in provincial towns of the era. By around 1860, the community had grown to roughly 130-150 members, large enough to justify building a dedicated house of worship.

When and how was the synagogue built?

The decision to build the synagogue was made around 1860. Provincial architect Albert Jamot (also recorded as Janot) was commissioned to design the building. What makes Arlon's synagogue historically unusual is that the town council itself provided the land and contributed public funds toward its construction — making it the first synagogue in Belgium built primarily with municipal financial support. Construction began in January 1864 and took roughly two years to complete; the building was inaugurated in December 1866, though some sources cite 1865 as the opening date.

What architectural style did the builders choose?

The synagogue follows a basilical floor plan and is executed in a Romanesque Revival style with notable Byzantine influences. Its facade is marked by two slender, symmetrical towers flanking a tall, arched central portal topped with a rose window. This combination of historicist elements reflected broader European trends in 19th-century synagogue architecture, adapted here to local building traditions in Wallonia.

What happened to the synagogue during the Second World War?

The Nazi occupation devastated Arlon's Jewish community: many members were deported, and the community that had numbered close to a hundred people at the start of the war was reduced to only a handful of survivors by its end. Remarkably, the synagogue building itself survived the war largely intact, unlike many other Jewish religious buildings destroyed across occupied Europe.

What is the synagogue's status today?

On 28 November 2005, the building was officially classified as a Major Heritage Site of Wallonia (Patrimoine majeur de Wallonie), formally recognizing its architectural and historical importance. In 2014 the synagogue was closed due to serious structural problems caused by moisture damage and dry rot. Following five years of careful restoration work, it reopened to the public in October 2019, timed to coincide with the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the oldest synagogue in Belgium? Yes, the Synagogue of Arlon is recognized as the oldest surviving synagogue building in the country.

Who designed the building? Provincial architect Albert Jamot (sometimes spelled Janot), commissioned by the authorities of Luxembourg Province.

Can visitors tour the synagogue? Since its 2019 reopening, the restored building functions as both a place of worship and a heritage site, accessible as part of local historical and cultural itineraries.

What makes this synagogue historically unique? Its construction was largely funded through public money from the town of Arlon itself — an exceptional case in the history of Belgian synagogue building.