Monastir Synagogue, Thessaloniki, Greece

The construction of the Monastir Synagogue lasted from 1925 till 1927. The funding was due to Jews from Monastir in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, chiefly by Ida Aroesti, in the memory of her late husband Isaac, and the families Camhi, Joseph Nahmias, Massot, Barouch, Halevi, Israel, Calderon, Faradji, and Meir. The consecration by the locum tenens Chief Rabbi of Thessaloniki, Haim Raphael Habib, took place on the 27th Eloul, 5687 (September, 24th, 1927).

These families have fled Monastir during the Balkan Wars (1912-1913) and World War I (1914-1918) and established themselves in Thessaloniki creating their own kehila (community) within the greater Jewish Community.

During World War II, the synagogue was saved by being requisitioned by the Red Cross. In June 1978, the structure of the building was severely damaged by an earthquake. It was restored by the Greek government and today is used primarily during the high holidays.

The synagogue is no longer in regular function. There is a new one shared with the Rabbinate and the offices of the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki at Tsimiki Street downtown. The Jewish museum is also near this new location.

References:

Wikipedia

Religious sites in Greece

User Reviews

Dorothy Chris (4 years ago)
A great historical building. The guide was very informative about the history of the Jewish people in Thessaloniki. The building was a bit cold though early in the morning

Michael Kagan (4 years ago)
Beautiful and surprising

Dr Dorothy Lobel King (5 years ago)
Easy to visit during opening hours. Also very welcoming to visiting Jews who wish to attend services, which are help regularly as with any other good synagogue. (Just ignore the Chabad propaganda that says it’s ‘sporadic’ because they want you to go to their Chabad services - also, BTW, Chabad think their late rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson is the Messiah ... a detail they forget to mention when they try to lure Jews away from real Greek synagogues ? that have been operating for centuries). Highly recommend both the synagogue to Gentiles who want to see some culture and to Jews who want to worship.

Trz Silb (5 years ago)
Nice from outside but the security don't let me in. I think Jewish community is not very welcoming to visitors (also in their museum they were little rude)

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Monastir Synagogue

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus