Synagogues in Türkiye · Balat, Istanbul
Istanbul’s oldest synagogue — a glorious example of the rich cultural life of Turkish Jews.
A glorious example of the rich cultural life of Turkish Jews, the Ahrida has its rightful place among the major synagogues of the world. The oldest of Istanbul’s 26 active synagogues, located in the historic neighbourhood of Balat on the Golden Horn, the Ahrida dates from the early 15th century.
A remarkable feature of the Ahrida is its Teva (bimah), built in the shape of the prow of a ship. The tradition holds that it symbolises either Noah’s Ark or the Ottoman ships which transported the Sephardim from Spain to Türkiye in 1492. Its design is both distinctive and deeply symbolic — the vessel that carries the community, the vessel that brought them home.
The Ahrida was badly damaged by fire in the late 17th century. The exact year is unknown, but an imperial ferman (decree) dated 1694 calls for rebuilding.
The rebuilding was carried out in the Baroque style of the Tulip Period (Lale Devri) — the early 18th-century Ottoman era celebrated for its flourishing arts. The restoration project, overseen by architect Hüsrev Tayla, revealed various styles of architecture layered one on top of the other, testifying to centuries of continuous use.
The London Illustrated News of June 9, 1877 depicts a remarkable scene: a prayer offered for the victory of Turkish armies in the war against Russia, held in the Ahrida Synagogue with the presence of the Sadrazam (Prime Minister) Ibrahim Edhem Pasha. The image captures the depth of the community’s identification with the Ottoman state — Jews praying for the Empire’s armies, and Ottoman leadership honouring that prayer with their presence.
See also: the Zulfaris Synagogue and Museum of Turkish Jews in Karaköy.
Zulfaris Synagogue & Museum →