Great Synagogue, Sydney

Great Synagogue, Sydney

The Sydney Great Synagogue is the largest place of worship for Jewish people in New South Wales. It is listed on the Register of the National Estate which is a list of significant cultural monuments in Australia.

The Great Synagogue was designed by Thomas Rowe and has a combination of Byzantine, Moorish Revival and Victorian Free Gothic Architectural styles. It was consecrated in 1878 and is the oldest synagogue in New South Wales that continues to be used as a place of worship. The Jewish community of Sydney flourished in the city from the earliest European settlements when 15 Jews were among those brought as convicts by the First Fleet.

The Great Synagogue is a highly decorated structure in carved sandstone and timber, molded plaster, tiling, glass and metalwork. It has a traditional elevated area for ladies. A 25 minute movie about the history of Jews in Australia is shown to visitors and there is a small museum in the basement with a collection of Jewish religious objects used from birth to death.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Sydney. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Great Synagogue on Map

Sight Name: Great Synagogue
Sight Location: Sydney, Australia (See walking tours in Sydney)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Sydney, Australia

Create Your Own Walk in Sydney

Create Your Own Walk in Sydney

Creating your own self-guided walk in Sydney is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Sydney Introduction Walking Tour

Sydney Introduction Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
The Rocks Walking Tour

The Rocks Walking Tour

The Rocks is a historic area and the oldest neighborhood in downtown Sydney. It was the site where on 26 January 1788 a Union flag was raised to announce the establishment of the first British penal colony in New South Wales. Many of the old stone buildings are made of quarry stones hand-chipped by early convicts, which gave the area its name.

Today's Rocks is a thriving locality packed...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Newtown Street Murals Walking Tour

Newtown Street Murals Walking Tour

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Ever since the early 1990s, with the appearance of the famous “I Have a Dream” Mural on King Street, a powerful depiction of Martin Luther King Junior's iconic speech, this...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Historic Buildings Walking Tour

Historic Buildings Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Sydney's Historical Churches

Sydney's Historical Churches

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The impressive Early English-style of architecture seen in Saint Mary's Cathedral is said to have inspired the American...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Food Tour in Sydney

Food Tour in Sydney

Sydney is a melting pot, and the local food culture is a sure testament to that. The inflow of immigrants from Europe and Asia over the years has turned the city into a much coveted foodie destination. This tour offers an introduction to the multifaceted and diverse food & brewery experience to be had here.

Start with Gateway Sydney, an upscale food court with WiFi and just about any kind...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles

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