Ahrida Synagogue

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  • Address
    Western Districts, Kürkçuçeşme Sokak 9, Balat
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  • Transport
    ferry: Balat
bus: Balat

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Balat once housed a large portion of the city's Jewish population. Sephardic Jews, driven from Spain by the judges of the Inquisition, found refuge in the Ottoman Empire in the late 15th and early 16th centuries and settled in this quarter of the city. Many of their descendants still live here and speak the native Spanish dialect of Ladino.

Like all other religious 'nations' within the empire, the Jewish community was governed by its supreme religious leader, the Chief Rabbi, who oversaw its adherence to religious law and who was responsible to the sultan for the community's good conduct. Today, you'll need to contact the current Chief Rabbinate of Turkey (212-243 5166, fax 212-244 1980, info@musevicemaati.com) if you wish to visit this or the neighbouring Yanbol synagogue. Ahrida is the oldest and most beautiful of the two, having been built before the Conquest. To visit, you must contact the rabbinate at least 24 hours before your visit. You'll need to fax a copy of your passport identification papers. Call between and Monday to Thursday, and Friday.