AHRIDA SYNAGOGUE IN ISTANBUL
Diaspora.
We came across this interesting synagogue in Istanbul, Turkey. 'The Jewish presence in Istanbul dates back at least to the Byzantine period when there was a synagogue in the Balat area on the Golden Horn that had been built by Jews from the city Ohrid in Macedonia' say the history books. Later, Balat became the Jewish quarter of the city.
By the return of the 20th century the whole country was experiencing a severe economic depression. Those Jews who remained in Istanbul moved to newer districts of the city. Of the original synagogues in Balat, only the Ahrida (Ohrid) remains and is functioning.
A remarkable feature of the Ahrida is its Teva (Bima) which is in the shape of the prow of a ship. The tradition says that it symbolizes either Noah's Ark or the Ottoman ships which transported the Sephardim from Spain to Turkey. Its design is impressive and memorable.
The Ahrida was badly damaged by a fire in the late 17th century, which may even have destroyed it completely. It was restored in 1955 and renovated in 1992. A magnificient chandelier hangs from the central dome.
MD: This is really interesting, we sure never knew this and if you pay a visit to Istanbul, you should really pass by this synagogue.
[MD Network]
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