Istanbul Sephardic Heritage — Ahrida Synagogue & Balat
Istanbul, Turkey
About This Activity
When Spain expelled its Jews in 1492, Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II famously welcomed them. The Sephardic refugees built synagogues across Istanbul — the Ahrida Synagogue in Balat (15th century, boat-shaped bimah symbolizing the ships that carried refugees) is the oldest still standing. Walk the colorful Balat neighborhood along the Golden Horn, once the Jewish quarter of Constantinople. Visit by advance arrangement through the Chief Rabbinate (free). The nearby Quincentennial Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews (Neve Shalom area, ₺20) documents 500+ years of Jewish Ottoman life.
Seasonal note: Year-round; synagogue visit requires advance arrangement through Chief Rabbinate; closed Saturdays
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Best 3 Days in Turkey — Jewish Heritage (Saturday Start)
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Best 3 Days in Turkey — Jewish Heritage (Sunday Start)
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