El Ghriba Synagogue
The ancient El Ghriba Synagogue (Arabic: كنيس الغريبة), also known as the Djerba Synagogue, is located on the Tunisian island of Djerba. It is situated in the Jewish village of Hara Seghira (currently known as er-Riadh), several kilometres southwest of Houmt El Souk, the main town of Djerba.
| El Ghriba Synagogue | |
|---|---|
Interior of El Ghriba Synagogue | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism |
| Rite | Maghrebi (Tochavim) |
| Status | Pilgrimage site |
| Location | |
| Location | Djerba, Tunisia |
| Geographic coordinates | 33°48′50″N 10°51′34″E |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Moorish |
The synagogue is the oldest in Tunisia, and possibly all of Africa. Besides being the center of the island's Jewish life it is also a site of pilgrimage. While extensively renovated in the 19th century CE, the buildings may date to the 6th century BCE: one of the legends associated with its founding claims that either a stone or a door from Solomon's Temple or the Second Temple is incorporated in the building.
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