Mayor Synagogue, Istanbul, Byzantine synagogue in Hasköy district, Istanbul, Turkey.
The Mayor Synagogue stands on Hasköy Avenue and displays Byzantine architectural features with stone construction that reflects the building traditions of that era. The structure now serves multiple purposes, including spaces that maintain its historical character while adapting to contemporary uses.
The synagogue took shape during the Byzantine period, earning the name Mayor because of its size and importance as the leading Jewish house of worship in Hasköy. It served as a focal point for the community's religious life until early twentieth-century changes redirected its purpose.
The name Mayor reflects its historical role as the most important religious site in the neighborhood. Visitors can observe how this space once anchored the local Jewish community's spiritual and social life.
The location sits along Hasköy Avenue, one of the main pathways through the area, making it straightforward to reach on foot. Visitors should be aware that the building does not function as an active place of worship today, so access may be limited.
In 2009, artist Serge Spitzer selected this location as the setting for his art project Molecular Istanbul. The project bridged the building's historical elements with contemporary artistic concepts, creating a dialogue between past and present.
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