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Shaare Tikvah Synagogue

Inaugurated in 1904, the Shaare Tikvah (Portas da Esperança (Doors of Hope)) Synagogue was the first synagogue built in Portugal after the expulsion decreed by King Manuel I, in 1496. Located in the centre of Lisbon, it has no street-facing façade because, at the time of its construction, the law prevented any non-Catholic temple from overlooking public space, so as not to "offend" the gaze of passers-by.

The project's architect was Ventura Terra, one of the most respected architects of the time. The building is elegant and carefully decorated, with two floors - the upper one for women - oriented towards Jerusalem.

This synagogue is the centre of the religious life of the Israeli Community of Lisbon. When the contemporary community of Lisbon was created, in the 19th century, the State of Israel did not yet exist; this community has its origins in 19th century Sephardic families from North Africa and Gibraltar who, after the extinction of the Inquisition in 1821, began to return to Portugal. The religious services follow the Sephardic rite.