The Racqy Synagogue (Arabic: كنيس الراكي; Hebrew: אל ראקי) is a former Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Damascus, in Syria. The synagogue was completed in the second half of the 19th century.
| Racqy Synagogue | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Judaism (former) |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue (19th century–1940s) |
| Status | Abandoned |
| Location | |
| Location | Muhammed Samir Darwish Street, Jewish Quarter, Old City, Damascus |
| Country | Syria |
  Location of the former synagogue in Damascus | |
| Geographic coordinates | 33°30′26″N 36°18′45″E / 33.507095°N 36.312407°E |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | 19th century |
| Materials | Basalt stone; timber |
Location
editThe Racqy Synagogue is located in the Old City of Damascus on the east side of Muhammed Samir Darwish Street (Arabic: شارع محمد سمير درویش) approximately 20 m (66 ft) south of Talat al-Hidjara Street and 40 m (130 ft) north of the Red Mosque.[1]
History
editThe synagogue was completed in the second half of the 19th century. During the early 20th century, it was one of many synagogues in operation in the city.[2] Following pogroms in Syria, in the 1940s, such as the 1949 Menarsha synagogue attack, following the establishment of the State of Israel, most of the Jews of Damascus left the country, followed by another wave in 1992 when Hafiz al-Assad's government allowed emigration out of the country.[1] Very few Jews remained, and the synagogue became abandoned.[3]
Architecture
editSimilar to the other Damascan synagogues, the Racqy Synagogue has a rectangular floor plan and is constructed from basalt stones. As customary in the city, it is decorated with black and white tiles.[1] The soft-pointed arches rest on bright cyllindrical columns. The ceiling is made from traditional poplar wood.[4]
See also
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References
edit- ^ a b c "Al-Racqy Synagogue". www.lovedamascus.com. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ "Jewish Quarter (Harat Al-Yahud) at Damascus, Syria". archive.diarna.org. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ England, Andrew (May 19, 2010). "Damascus gives old Jewish quarter new life". Financial Times. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
- ^ Blitz, Adam (January 17, 2014). "The case for Jobar: Syria, synagogues and subterfuge". Times of Israel. Retrieved January 8, 2024.