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Kahal Kadosh Gadol Synagogue
Kahal Grande Synagogue; located (in the Old City of Rhodes) between Calle de Kahal Grande and Calle de la Escola (between Thiseos & Kisthinou Streets) The full name of the synagogue was the Kahal Kadosh Gadol (the Holy Great Congregation) and was also called Kehila Grande in Judeo-Spanish ("Ladino"). During World War II the synagogue was accidentally damaged by Allied bombings targeting German ships docked at the nearby port. The remains of the Kehila Grande, including the perimeter, floor and other features can still be seen. Along the northern walkway are two seating areas. [1]
Description
The synagogue is believed to have been built in the late 1400's after the Turkish siege of 1480. It actually replaced an existing Jewish synagogue that was built earlier but destroyed by cannon balls during the conflict of 1480. It is understood that this synagogue was attended by the Greek speaking Romaniot Jews. Subsequent to the arrival of the large number of Sephardic Jews in the 1500's the synagogue eventually utilized the Judeo-Spanish ("Ladino") language and rituals. Although heavily damaged in 1944 during World War II bombings, the structural walls of the Kehila Grande synagogue remained standing for several more years. During the next thirty years, the walls collapsed and the area filled with rubble. In 2003, the Greek government cleared away the 4 feet of debris which had accumulated exposing the foundation of the perimeter walls, floors and other features. [2]
Rhodes, Greece
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Sources
Notes:
[1] "La Juderia," Rhodes Jewish Museum, accessed August 11, 2014, http://www.rhodesjewishmuseum.org/juderia
[2] ibid.