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Nicknamed La Ghriba (“the strange” in Arabic), the synagogue of Djerba is located 11 km south of Houmt-Souk, the capital of the island. It is an essential tourist attraction in Djerba, although unfortunately, tourists who stay in club hotels hardly suspect its existence. It must be said that it is isolated in the open countryside, far from the beaches, in the center of the island, 1 kilometer from the village of Erriadh, one of the two Jewish villages of Djerba. The interior decorated with painted wood, mosaics and stained glass is quite remarkable. You have to take off your shoes and put on a yarmulke. It would be the oldest synagogue in the world, dating from 586 BC! It was founded by priests of Solomon's temple after its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar the same year. The remains of the Temple are said to still be visible in some places, but there is no proof of their veracity. It was damaged by an Islamist attack in 2002. We see rabbis there reading passages from the Torah. A place steeped in history and full of emotion, also testifying to the tolerance of Tunisians. The synagogue of La Ghriba is the subject of an annual pilgrimage, on the occasion of the Jewish holiday of Lag Ba'omer (33rd day of Passover) which brings together several thousand pilgrims each year.
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Ahmed Bahri
2 months agoA place full of history that showcases the rich Jewish heritage of Djerba. Visiting the El Ghriba Synagogue was a truly special experience. The atmosphere is peaceful, the architecture is stunning, and you can feel the centuries of tradition and cultural coexistence within its walls. It’s more than just a religious site. Definitely a must-visit when in Djerba.
Tim Kudryavtsev
3 months agoVery old and authentic synagogue located in the heart of Djerba island. Very interesting place. Be vary that google maps do not work well in the island and thus you may end up at someone's property instead, just as I ended up. Look for a police control point and that is the indicator you are at the right place.
Y B
3 months agoBeautiful historic synagogue on the island of Djerba. Free admission though donations to the synagogue are appreciated.
Matěj Brož
a month agoNice piece of history - the synagogue’s interior is breathtaking. It’s actually rather small (looks much bigger in the photos). Decent clothing is strictly required, but guys at the entrance provide caps/headscarf to cover just for the visit and help with that.
Ross Daniels
10 months agoI had pretty high expectations as it was regarded as one of the highlights of Djerba Island. There is no doubt that it is beautifully crafted inside and it has a very long history and remains highly significant for Jewish people in Tunisia today and is the most famous Jewish site for the local community. It is where local Tunisian Jews celebrate the holiday of Lag BaOmer.