The Nidhe Israel Synagogue & Museum

Jewish history tour booked through Viator was a highlight of our Caribbean cruise trip. Our guide Rickicia was very nice, articulate, informative, and patient and attentive to our interests. The sights were AMAZING - so beautiful, beautifully restored, fantastic museum... Impressive and very worthwhile, two hours flew by!

So interesting, about the Jews who came and went and came to Barbados and the trading history. The Museum is brilliant, Synagogue feels authentic and the Mikve and its built surrounds remarkable.

The Synagogue Historic District has become a very popular tourist attraction to all who visits...including a walking tour through Bridgetown, there's an entrance fee to visit the museum and grounds along with a parking lot for your convenience. The area is clean and well maintained, inside one of the structures on-site is a cafe and art gallery, I especially love the way the developers has kept the true essence of this site by incorporating the old charm with the new in this historical district. The artisans shops of old once housed the same businesses as there is today, the original entrance to the Synagogue is situated on Synagogue Lane with the repurposing of the original door is quite interesting while keeping a bit of the old wall structure of the building. This area is nestled between Coleridge Street, James Street and Synagogue Lane...and was developed and restored to incorporate the Synagogue & museum, the Codd's House Monument, the Fire Brigade House and the Artisans Shops and its surroundings to commemorate this rich history between 8-10 years ago. During the construction of the artisan shops...it is said a gravesite was discovered and much of the tombstones was in tact written in Jewish & Arabic inscription was something that needed to be preserved. It's good to have this little knowledge of the Jewish heritage and the role they played during 17th century Barbados.

Lovely museum, very well kept. Very recommended to know more about the history of Barbados. The staff at the entrance was very gentle and gave us very useful indications.

Fascinating place to learn about some of the area's local history. One of the oldest synagogues in the entire Western Hemisphere.

We visited this Synagogue many years ago as a family before it was a historical site and went back in January of 2024 to honor my mother who died October 7. She was a genealogist and historian and loved Barbados. It brought me so much peace to be able to sit on the bench in the courtyard and say a prayer for her and talk to her. It filled a hole in my heart and healed my soul just a little. This is a beautiful synagogue and is the oldest synagogue in the western hemisphere. Jewish people were instrumental in the development of the rum trade in the Caribbean and we should be proud of that! The mikveh was also very special. If you are in Barbados definitely come see this beautiful place!

Great self-guided tour, helpful staff, fascinating museum. The architecture is a beautiful mix of styles and the museum exhibits are really well done. Would recommend for anyone interested in history, culture, or religion.

A very interesting visit. Definitely worth going in and learning new things if you didn't knit the history before. 95% disabled friendly.