Ben Ezra Synagogue, Historic synagogue in Old Cairo, Egypt
Ben Ezra is a synagogue in Islamic Cairo featuring a two-story basilica-style structure adorned with intricate wooden carvings, colored glass windows, and marble columns. The interior reveals multiple levels and sections, each carefully designed to provide worshippers with distinct prayer spaces.
The synagogue was founded in the 9th century on the site of a former church and has shaped Jewish life in Cairo for over a thousand years. Following the devastating fire in Fustat in 1168, it underwent significant reconstruction and restoration work.
The synagogue served as the religious and social heart of Cairo's Jewish community for centuries, and visitors can sense this shared history within its walls. The interior spaces reflect the lives and traditions of generations who gathered here to worship and celebrate.
The building is open daily and visitors should expect stairs and narrow passages, particularly in the older sections. Comfortable shoes and modest clothing are advisable when exploring the interior and entering the prayer areas.
In the basement of the building, manuscripts from the Geniza were discovered, a vast collection of old Jewish texts and documents that lay hidden for centuries. These findings provide a rare window into the daily life and concerns of the Jewish community across many generations.
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