Priene Synagogue, Ancient synagogue ruins in Güllübahçe, Turkey.
Priene Synagogue is an ancient place of worship in the ruins of the city of Priene with a main hall and two parallel columns forming a basilica-like structure. The building features a central area for Torah storage with a dedicated niche space.
The site was built in the 2nd century and served the Jewish community as a place of prayer under Roman rule. Systematic excavations from 1895 onward gradually brought the ruins to light and documented this important Jewish facility.
The synagogue displays Jewish prayer spaces with inscribed wall markings and Torah storage features that reveal how the local community worshipped here. The spatial layout tells visitors much about Jewish religious practices in ancient times.
The remains are located within the larger archaeological complex of Priene and are accessible during regular park opening hours. Informational signs on-site help visitors understand the rooms and their functions.
A carved candelabrum next to the Torah storage area helped archaeologists in the 1920s correctly identify the building as a synagogue. This small symbol was crucial in revealing the original purpose of the mysterious structure.
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