A glorious example of the rich cultural life of Turkish Jews, the Ahrida has its rightful place among major synagogues of the world.

Located at Balat, the synagogue was built by those who had migrated to Macedonia from Ahri borough in 15th century. Having a similar shape to a ship’s bow, Teva( prayer desk) of the synagogue to some resembles to Noah’s Ship while others compare it to Ottoman galleys that carried Sefarad immigrants to the Ottoman piers from Spain. Being in service over 500 years, the synagogue has been exposed to some fires and repaired . Moreover, embracing the most ancient appearance among the others included within frame of 500th annual celebratons programme, it was restored in Lale(Tulip) Period baroque style.

A remarkable feature of the Ahrida is its Teva (Bima) which is in the shape of the prow of a ship. The tradition says that it symbolizes either Noah’s Ark or the Ottoman ships which transported the Sephardim from Spain to Turkey. Its design is impressive and memorable.

The oldest of Istanbul’s 16 synagogues in use today, located in the neighborhood of Balat (Istanbul), the Ahrida dates from the early 15th century.

The Ahrida was badly damaged by a fire in the late 17th century, which may even have destroyed it completely. The exact year of the fire is unknown, but an imperial Berman dated 1694 calls for the rebuilding of the synagogue, which was done at the time in the Baroque style of the Tulip Period.

The restoration project, overseen by architect Husrev Tayla, revealed various styles of architect