Great Synagogue

Marseille, France

When the previous synagogue on the Rue Grignan in Marseille was in disrepair and too small, a campaign began in 1855 to raise money for a new site. The design by the architect Nathan Salomon was approved in 1860 and the building finished in 1864.

The synagogue takes the basilica form more commonly associated with ancient Greece and Rome, and churches. It is built in the Romano-Byzantine style, and takes influence from the Synagogue de Nazareth, completed in Paris in 1852. A pulpit and an organ – both also associated more with Christian buildings than Jewish ones – feature inside, and the mix of Western and Oriental designs was chosen to reflect the diversity of the worshippers.

Religious sites in France

Address

Rue Breteuil 117, Marseille, France

See all sites in Marseille

Details

Founded: 1860
Category: Religious sites in France

More Information

www.marseilletourisme.fr

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Église Saint-Ferréol les Augustins (1,1 km)
Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations (1,7 km)
Notre-Dame de la Garde (0,6 km)
Fort Saint-Jean (1,6 km)
Saint Laurent Church (1,5 km)
Palais Longchamp (2,4 km)
Palais du Pharo (1,8 km)
Marseille Cathedral (1,8 km)
Vieille Charité (1,7 km)

Aix Cathedral (27,8 km)
Chapel of the Oblates (27,3 km)
Château de l'Empéri (45,3 km)
Église de la Madeleine (27,6 km)
Église Saint-Jean-de-Malte (27,2 km)
Musée Granet (27,2 km)
Cézanne's Studio (28,5 km)
Roquefavour Aqueduct (26 km)
Silvacane Abbey (47,9 km)

User Reviews

Isaac Penya (13 months ago)
Extraordinary reception of the Marseillais on the occasion of the annual National Rabbinical Congress. THANKS

Antoine Shapiro (14 months ago)
This community made people want to move to Marseille. Very friendly community, excellent chazan, professional singer. Think of moving here after a visit.

Olivier Guez (2 years ago)
Very beautiful synagogue where the great Rabbi Sitruk was able in the 80s to lead this beautiful Marseille community with a lot of humor, talent and accuracy

Roy Guedj (3 years ago)
Magnificent place of worship. Moving. Safety is at the rendezvous when it was more the chuppah of my little brother.

ציפי אלפרוביץ (5 years ago)
Synagogue. Beautiful and magnificent

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historical Gems of Costa Verde

Photo from Flickr, copyright Andy Hay

Historic Site of the week

Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.