Great Synagogue of Tunis, Art Deco synagogue in Lafayette district, Tunisia.
The Great Synagogue of Tunis is a concrete structure built in the Art Deco style with oriental shapes woven into its design and interior spaces. It stands on Avenue de la Liberté near the Habib-Thameur garden, making it easy to locate in the city center.
The structure came about after architect Victor Valensi won a design competition in 1911, with construction beginning in 1933 and the building opening in 1937. During World War II, it was occupied from 1942 to 1943, marking a difficult chapter in its past.
The building brought together two separate Jewish communities, the Grana and the Twensa, who shared this prayer space in the capital. Today, the sanctuary still reflects this role as a place where different groups gathered.
The building is monitored by local authorities, and visits are possible with prior arrangement, particularly when services are scheduled. It helps to check ahead whether the site will be open for visiting on your chosen day.
During the German occupation in World War II, the building served as a base for arresting community leaders, revealing a darker moment in its story. This history makes the site a testament to the struggles many faced during that era.
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