Kahal Shalom Synagogue, Rhodes

Kahal Shalom Synagogue, Rhodes (must see)

The Kahal Shalom Synagogue is a Sephardic Jewish synagogue located in the Jewish Quarter of the city. There have been Jewish people in Rhodes for more than two millennia and, although they were often persecuted under the Romans and Knights of Rhodes, they enjoyed peace and prosperity under Ottoman rule and this encouraged even more Sephardic Jews to settle here.

Built in 1577, the Kahal Shalom is Greece’s oldest surviving and continuously used synagogue. However, much of the local Jewish community emigrated following the Italian take over the Dodecanese Islands in 1912, especially during the fascist era.

The layout of the building is typical of most Sephardic synagogues with the Tevah, where the Torah is read, in the center of the sanctuary. The striking floor of the interior space is a mosaic made of black and white local stones and there are two unusual Torah arks on each side of the interior courtyard.

There are several plaques relating to the history of the Jewish community, adorning the walls of the interior and exterior of the synagogue in Ladino, the Sephardic language, Hebrew and even French. There is a museum attached to the synagogue, which highlights the history of the Jewish people in Rhodes. The complex is also often used for community events.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Rhodes. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Kahal Shalom Synagogue on Map

Sight Name: Kahal Shalom Synagogue
Sight Location: Rhodes, Greece (See walking tours in Rhodes)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Rhodes, Greece

Create Your Own Walk in Rhodes

Create Your Own Walk in Rhodes

Creating your own self-guided walk in Rhodes is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Rhodes Introduction Walking Tour

Rhodes Introduction Walking Tour

The city of Rhodes, capital of the eponymous island, has been famous since antiquity as the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Colossus of Rhodes. The enormous statue once stood over the harbor entrance and was destroyed by a powerful earthquake in 226 BC.

The name Rhodes comes from the ancient Greek word “rhódon” (rose), hence the island is sometimes referred to as the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Gates and Walls Tour

Gates and Walls Tour

Owing to its geographical location, as a gateway to the Aegean Sea, Rhodes has always had a vantage position on trade routes between the West and the East – well protected against both foreign invaders and corsairs sailing the Mediterranean waters. The early defense system of Rhodes dates back as far as the 4th century BC.

Starting the Middle Ages – the year 1309, when the Knights...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Medieval Town Walking Tour

Medieval Town Walking Tour

The medieval town of Rhodes, where every street, square, or building evokes a story about ancient times, is a living museum in its own right. Being one of the best-preserved medieval walled towns in Europe, this enchanting area boasts several remarkable locations and is quite deservedly declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Welcoming you at its entrance is the Liberty (or Eleftherias) Gate....  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Acropolis of Rhodes

Acropolis of Rhodes

The Acropolis of Rhodes on Monte Smith is an ancient archaeological site. The excavations and restoration works here began under the Italian administration of the island (from 1912 to 1945) and continue to this day. This historic location is home to several significant structures dating back to the Hellenistic period (3rd to 2nd century BC) offering a glimpse into the history and culture of the...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Mandraki Harbor Tour

Mandraki Harbor Tour

Mandraki, one of the three harbors of Rhodes, is by far the most famous of them. For centuries, this “front door” of the island has welcomed visitors to Rhodes from far and away. In large part (and quite literally so), the reason for its popularity was the enormous statue of Colossus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, that used to crown the harbor's entrance, adding a sense...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles