Forasteros Synagogue is also known as Orahim in Hebrew and Foresteros in Spanish. Both names mean “foreigners” or “guests”.
- Area: Kemeraltı (First Juderia)
- Also known as: Orahim; Foresteros (“foreigners, guests”)
- Built: probably 17th century
- Status: No longer a working synagogue
History
The synagogue stood in the heart of the Kemeraltı bazaar and the first Jewish quarter, and its name reflects its role in welcoming Jewish newcomers who joined the local community. It was probably built in the seventeenth century and stayed in use until a fire destroyed it. After it was too badly damaged to serve as a synagogue, its courtyard was used as a kosher poultry slaughterhouse, where atonement offerings were made before Yom Kippur.
Why it matters
Forasteros shows that the Kemeraltı cluster was not only a group of buildings. It was a social system in which prayer, arrival, adaptation and shared practice took place within a small urban area.
Visiting
Please read Visit before making any plans. Access to historic synagogues may require prior permission.
