Antakya Synagogue

Antakya Synagogue is a synagogue building on Kurtuluş Street in Antakya with marble floors, blue curtains decorated with golden inscriptions, and the Torah Ark positioned on its southern wall. The structure served as an active place of worship for the local Jewish community until recent events.

Built in 1890, the synagogue served one of the world's oldest Jewish communities with roots extending back 2,300 years in Antakya. The building maintained continuous religious and community functions until structural damage from the earthquakes of 2023.

The synagogue sits across from a mosque and a Catholic church, showing the religious diversity that has shaped Antakya for centuries. This arrangement reflects how different faith communities coexisted in the same neighborhood.

Visiting this site requires sensitivity to its current situation, as the building has not been active since the 2023 earthquakes caused significant damage. Respectful behavior is important when viewing this place of religious importance to its former community.

The Torah Ark sits in a semi-circular apse designed to account for the geographical direction toward Jerusalem, following traditional Jewish architectural rules. This directional choice reveals how religious practice shaped the physical design of the building.