Mayor Synagogue, Istanbul Explained

Mayor Synagogue is a former synagogue in the Hasköy district of Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Turkey.

History

According to historian Lorans Tanatar Baruh, the synagogue was built in the Byzantine era and was called Mayor because it was the largest in the neighborhood.^[1] Another historian claims the synagogue was built 300 to 500 years ago by Jews from Majorca.^[2] (According to historian Jak Deleon, in the 1950s there was a Mayorka Synagogue in Hasköy.^[3])

The synagogue building is now used as storage space, workshops, and a billiard parlor. In September 2009, artist Serge Spitzer chose this site for his installation Molecular Istanbul.^{[4] [5]}

See also

• History of the Jews in Turkey
• List of synagogues in Turkey
• Mayor Synagogue (Bursa)

References

1. Cited in Jak Deleon. Ancient Districts on the Golden Horn: Balat, Hasköy, Fener, Ayvansaray. Istanbul, n.d. Page 68.
2. Ahsen Utku. "Contemporary artist Serge Spitzer creates art out of ruins. Today's Zaman, 19 September 2009. URL: http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/news-187177-110-contemporary-artist-serge-spitzer-creates-art-out-of-ruins.html Retrieved 5 October 2009.
3. Deleon, page 68.
4. Müge Akgün. "City gains new art center with 'Molecular Istanbul.'" Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review, 8 September 2009. URL: http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=city-gains-a-new-art-center-with-molecular-istanbul-2009-09-08 Retrieved 3 October 2009.
5. Utku.

External links

• Serge Spitzer: Molecular Istanbul, Mayor Synagogue, Istanbul. VernissageTV, 28 September 2009. Video includes many interior and exterior views of the structure.
• http://www.distanz.de/de/books/new-publications/detail/backPID/new-publications/products/serge-spitzer.html New Publication Serge Spitzer / Molecular (ISTANBUL)
• http://www.realitymodels.org Internet site

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