The Anatolian territory, inhabited by numerous civilisations throughout history, is also significant in religious tourism due to its sacred routes. Numerous historical sites, including magnificent synagogues, centuries-old temples, and mosques with distinctive architectural features, can be found in today's Türkiye. The Sephardic Heritage Route, comprising the Turkish cities of Edirne, Istanbul, Bursa, Manisa, and İzmir, provides insight into the journey of an ancient society through these regions. This unique route provides a deeper comprehension of the Sephardic Jewish world's religious life. Numerous relics and artefacts that belonged to Sephardic Jews in Anatolian lands cast light on the people's way of life. The Sephardic Heritage route, which passes through İstanbul, İzmir, Edirne, Bursa, and Manisa, can help you discover more about Jewish culture and Turkish Jewish history.
Manisa, home to the third Jewish temple in the world
Although the existence of Jews in Türkiye is commonly thought to have originated with the Ottoman Empire, the history of Jews in Anatolia dates back to pre-BC times. The Sardis Synagogue, the first synagogue in Europe and Türkiye, is located in today's Manisa, the ancient city of Sardis, the capital of the Lydian civilisation. The Sardis Synagogue is considered the Jews' third temple, built after the Temple of Solomon, of which only the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) in Jerusalem remains and the Dura Europos synagogue in Syria. It is believed that the Sephardic branch of Jews originated in the Sardis Synagogue. The Sardis Synagogue, also known as the Sephardic Synagogue, has floor mosaics, impressive columns, wall frescoes, and a hall with a pool and a fountain; many of these elements were installed in different eras.
Türkiye’s biggest synagogue is in İstanbul
In the late Middle Ages, most Jews expelled from Western Europe sought shelter in Ottoman countries, where Jewish communities already existed. The Jewish communities who arrived in Anatolia on galleys sent by the Ottoman Empire mainly settled in İstanbul, İzmir, Edirne, and Bursa. Various synagogues belonging to the Jewish community in Asia and Europe may be found in İstanbul, including the largest synagogue in Türkiye, Neve Shalom Synagogue. Among the most popular synagogues in İstanbul are the Ahrida and Yanbol Synagogues in Balat, the Ashkenazi Synagogue in Karaköy, and the Etz Ahayim Synagogue in Ortaköy.
Jewish Quarter and Synagogue Street (Havra Sokağı) in İzmir
In İzmir, at the heart of Turkaegean, there are Jewish places of worship and residential spaces dating back to the 16th century that are regarded as important cultural values of the city. The Jewish area contains synagogues influenced by medieval Spain and Sephardic beliefs and traditions and cortejos (Jew Houses), residences where Sephardic Jews once lived together. On Synagogues Street nowadays, nine of the 33 synagogues built in İzmir with a unique architectural style in previous years can be visited. Kadifekale, the Jewish neighbourhood of İzmir in İkiçeşmelik, was established between Basmane and Havra streets and eventually expanded to the Karataş, Göztepe, and Karantina regions. Today, a few cortejos (Jew Houses) in İkiçeşmelik are being renovated in compliance with the historical texture.
The first communities of Jewish immigrants settled in Edirne and Bursa
Edirne and Bursa are the two other cities with Jewish communities. These cities, which hosted the first Jewish communities in Ottoman lands, are still a vital faith route today. A Jewish neighbourhood and 14 independent synagogues were founded in Edirne. When the 14 synagogues were destroyed in the great fire of Edirne in 1905, the Edirne Great Synagogue was built to replace them. The building was inspired by the historical Leopoldstädter Temple, Vienna's largest synagogue, and was designed by French architect France Depre in Moorish Revival architecture. Bursa, another city home to Sephardic Jews, has the Gerush Synagogue, the Mayor Synagogue, and the Etz Ahayim Synagogue. While the Gerush Synagogue was built for the earliest Sephardic communities from Spain, the Etz Ahayim Synagogue, also known as the Tree of Life Synagogue, stands out as the first synagogue built during the Ottoman period. The Mayor Synagogue is named for its builders’ former home, the Spanish island of Mallorca.