*The photos are sourced from the museum’s official website.
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The Etz-Hayyim Synagogue in Chania is the only Jewish monument in Crete and an important symbol of the long and dramatic history of the island’s Jewish community. Built in the 16th century, the synagogue was the religious and social center of the city’s Jews for almost 400 years, until it was destroyed by the Nazis in 1944 during World War II. The Nazis destroyed the Jewish communities of Crete, including synagogues, cemeteries and schools, and the Ej Hayim Synagogue remained neglected and desecrated for decades, bearing witness to the Nazi destruction.
Renovation of the synagogue began in 1995, when a strong earthquake caused severe damage to the building. In 1996, the synagogue was placed on the World Monuments Fund’s list of the 100 most endangered monuments, and its restoration was funded by various foundations, including the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation. The restoration, which began in 1998, was supervised by Nikos Stavroulakis, Honorary Director of the Jewish Museum of Greece. The project was completed in 1999 and the synagogue was officially reopened in 2000.
Today, the Etz-Hayyim Synagogue serves as a place of prayer, remembrance and reconciliation. It is a living symbol of Jewish history and the rebirth of the community, a meeting place for expatriates and visitors, but also an integral part of Crete’s cultural heritage.
*The photos are sourced from the museum’s official website.
Museum
Archaeological, Ecclesiastical, Historical
Kondylaki Street, Chania
+30 2821086286
Monday – Thursday: 10.00-16.00
Friday: 10.00-15.00
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