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Shmuel Shamoun Synagogue, Isfahan, Iran
The Shmuel Shamoun (شموئل شمعون, שמואל שעמון) Synagogue in Isfahan (Esfahan, אספהאן, اصفهان), Iran.
Description
History
This synagogue was originally built in 1909 as a waqf building donated by a Muslim, Shmuel Shamoun, who bought the land and funded the construction of the synagogue.1
Features
The Mushi Haja and the Shmuel Shamoun synagogues were separate congregations. However, the structures of the two synagogues were connected.2
The prayer hall is covered by a dome resting on four columns spanned by arches, created around a bay and a bimah in the center.3 Light is provided by lanterns and skylights, while geometric ornamentation (karbandi) adorns the ceiling.4 While on the western side the Torah is housed, the southern side has windows. Haft-rang tiles decorate the walls.5 The eastern side contains an area for women that is connected visually by a brick screen (mushabbak).6
Current Standing
The Synagogue is still used as a place of worship, however it is always under renovations to maintain itself.7
Isfahan, Iran
© Mapbox, © OpenStreetMap
Sources
Notes
1. Gharipour, Mohammed. “Kanisa-Yi Shmu'il Sham'un.” Archnet. Archnet, 2017. https://www.archnet.org/sites/18567.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid.
Works Cited
Coordinates via M.G. and the Isfahan Synagogues Project.
Gharipour, Mohammed. “Kanisa-Yi Shmu'il Sham'un.” Archnet. Archnet, 2017. https://www.archnet.org/sites/18567.
Image Gallery
For more images of the site, visit:
https://www.archnet.org/collections/1530