Izmir’s synagogues carry the story of a community that moved through the city while holding on to prayer, study, welfare and memory.
The older group is clustered around Kemeraltı and Havra Street, where several synagogues stand close to one another in a pattern rarely found elsewhere. The later group belongs to Karataş, Alsancak and Karşıyaka, reflecting the community’s nineteenth- and twentieth-century movement beyond the old Juderia.
- Start with: Kemeraltı and Havra Street
- Later geography: Karataş, Alsancak and Karşıyaka
- For access: read Visit before making plans
- For research: use Contact IzmirJCC with a clear topic
Quick guide
| Synagogue | Area | Period | Public orientation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algazi | Kemeraltı | 1724 | Algazi family and Sephardi musical memory. |
| Bet Hillel | Kemeraltı | 1840 | Palachi family and rabbinic heritage. |
| Bikur Holim | Kemeraltı | 1724, rebuilt 1800 | Welfare memory and a painted interior. |
| Etz Hayim | Kemeraltı | repaired 1851 | Among the oldest surviving synagogues. |
| Forasteros | Kemeraltı | 17th century | Memory of newcomers; no longer a synagogue. |
| Hevra | Kemeraltı | 17th century | Talmud Torah; restoration under way. |
| Portugal | Kemeraltı | by the 1620s | Restored 2018; cultural venue. |
| Shalom | Kemeraltı | 1620s | Authentic interior; Escapa memory. |
| Sinyora | Kemeraltı | rebuilt after 1841 | Donor traditions and local features. |
| Bet Israel | Karataş | 1905-1907 | The largest synagogue; active. |
| Rosh Ha-Har | Karataş | 1890s | Later neighbourhood synagogue. |
| Shaar Ashamayim | Alsancak | 1960s, rebuilt 2019 | Main synagogue in regular use. |
| Ahavat Shalom | Karşıyaka | 1881-1882 | Preserved; held for cultural use. |
Kemeraltı
Begin with Kemeraltı Synagogues for the cluster overview.
- Algazi Synagogue
Family memory, music and Kemeraltı history. - Bet Hillel Synagogue
Palachi family and rabbinic heritage. - Bikur Holim Synagogue
Welfare memory and a painted interior. - Etz Hayim Synagogue
One of the oldest surviving synagogues. - Forasteros Synagogue
Memory of newcomers to the city. - Hevra Synagogue
Talmud Torah and restoration. - Portugal Synagogue
Restored cultural venue. - Shalom Synagogue
Authentic interior and Escapa memory. - Sinyora Synagogue
Donor traditions and local features.
Karataş, Alsancak and Karşıyaka
Begin with Karataş, Alsancak and Karşıyaka Synagogues for the area overview.
- Bet Israel Synagogue
The largest synagogue in Izmir. - Rosh Ha-Har Synagogue
Later neighbourhood synagogue in Karataş. - Shaar Ashamayim Synagogue
Main synagogue in regular use. - Ahavat Shalom Synagogue
Preserved Karşıyaka community memory.
Architectural character
Many Izmir synagogues share local features: a relationship between the main prayer space and the Midrash, a triple Ehal arrangement, and, in several cases, a central Tevah set between four columns. Later alterations sometimes moved the Tevah towards the Ehal, changing the older central plan.
Visiting
These pages are written for orientation, not as an access guarantee. Please check Visit before planning any visit.