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Obj. ID: 25339
Jewish Architecture
  Mekor Haim Synagogue in Çanakkale, Turkey

© Selim Salomon Varon, Photographer: Varon, Selim Salomon, 2017

The following text was provided by Mr. Selim Salomon Varon, the head of the community:

Some Jewish groups moved to this region in the beginning of the 15th century as the result of the conquest of Edirne bay by the Ottomans. By the mid 19th century, there were about 600 Jewish families in Çanakkale. Today (2018), the Jewish population of the city numbers only 8 people.

There were 3 synagogues in Çanakkale. Two of them, the Hadash (New) and the Halio (restored and enlarged by the community notable Eli Halio ) were both damaged and abandoned. The Halio Synagogue was first used as an asylum for the poor and later as a Yeshiva and Midrash. The only synagogue still standing in our days is the Mekor Hayim Synagogue, built in 1890. 

This synagogue, which was allocated for military use during World War II, was returned to the community in September 1945, just in time to celebrate Rosh Ha-Shanah. 

Inscriptions of the two sides of the Ehal (Torah ark) mention that the synagogue was renovated in 5724 (April 1964). In 1975, the prayers were held here irregularly because of the decline of the Jewish population. The restoration of the synagogue was completed in 2003 and on 29th of October, 2005 the synagogue was re-opened to worship in the presence of Jews of Çanakkale origin, who arrived from Istanbul and from all over the world for the occasion.

The Synagogue is surrounded by three streets and it is courtyard is encircled by high walls. The entrance in the eastern wall opens directly to the Midrash. The Hechal (Torah ark) is placed in the center of the southern wall; the Tevah (Pulpit)  is not fixed and can be moved.

The entrance to the main Synagogue is possible through the Midrash. The synagogue has a marble floor, its ceiling is wooden. The wooden Tevah (Pulpit) is placed in the middle.  The Torah ark is adorned with the Tablets of the Law and a menorah. 

The Azara (women's gallery) is supported by metal consoles and sustained by brackets that hang from the ceiling.

Summary and Remarks
Remarks

6 image(s)

sub-set tree:

Name/Title
Mekor Haim Synagogue in Çanakkale | Unknown
Object Detail
Monument Setting
Unknown
Date
1890
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
1946, 1964, 2003-2005
Artist/ Maker
Unknown
Origin
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Congregation
Unknown
Location
Turkey | Çanakkale
| Havra St.
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Unknown
Period Detail
Collection
Unknown |
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Iconographical Subject
Unknown |
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
Material / Technique
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Stone
Measurements
Height
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition
Extant
Documented by CJA
Surveyed by CJA
Present Usage
Synagogue
Present Usage Details
Condition of Building Fabric
B (Fair)
Architectural Significance type
Historical significance: Event/Period
Historical significance: Collective Memory/Folklore
Historical significance: Person
Architectural Significance: Style
Architectural Significance: Artistic Decoration
Urban significance
Significance Rating
2 (Regional)
0
Ornamentation
Custom
Contents
Codicology
Scribes
Script
Number of Lines
Ruling
Pricking
Quires
Catchwords
Hebrew Numeration
Blank Leaves
Direction/Location
Façade (main)
Endivances
Location of Torah Ark
Location of Apse
Location of Niche
Location of Reader's Desk
Location of Platform
Temp: Architecture Axis
Arrangement of Seats
Location of Women's Section
Direction Prayer
Direction Toward Jerusalem
Coin
Coin Series
Coin Ruler
Coin Year
Denomination
Signature
Colophon
Scribal Notes
Watermark
Hallmark
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Trade Mark
Binding
Decoration Program
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
Main Surveys & Excavations
Sources

Güleryüz , Naim A. and Izzet Keribar. The Synagogues of Thrace and Anatolia (Istanbul: Gözlem Gazetecilik Basin ve Yayin Aş, 2008)

Zack, Joel A., The Historic Synagogues of Turkey / Türkie'nin tarihi sinagoglari, Photographs by Devon Jarvis (American Sephardi Federation, 2008)
Type
Documenter
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Author of description
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Architectural Drawings
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Computer Reconstruction
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Section Head
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Language Editor
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Donor
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Negative/Photo. No.
The following information on this monument will be completed:
Unknown |