Great Synagogue (Gibraltar)

The Great Synagogue of Gibraltar, also known as Kahal Kadosh Sha'ar HaShamayim (Hebrew: קהל קדוש שער השמיים), is located in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar, and was the first synagogue on the Iberian Peninsula to operate since the expulsions from Spain and Portugal in 1492 and 1497 respectively.[1]

For similarly named synagogues, see Great Synagogue (disambiguation).

Great Synagogue of Gibraltar
Torah ark in the Great Synagogue, early 20th century.
Religion
AffiliationOrthodox Judaism
RiteSpanish & Portuguese
StatusActive synagogue
Location
Location47/49 Engineer Lane
Gibraltar Gibraltar
Geographic coordinates36.141828°N 5.352511°W / 36.141828; -5.352511
Architecture
Groundbreaking1724
Completed1812

History

Sha'ar HaShamayim Synagogue was founded in 1724 by Isaac Nieto from London. It was inaugurated in 1724 on a plot of land granted to the Jews by the then Governor of Gibraltar, Richard Kane. Having been rebuilt several times, the present building largely dates from 1812 and shares features in common with the parent Portuguese Synagogue (Amsterdam) (1675) and Bevis Marks Synagogue (1701).[2] The facade of the two-and-a-half-story, domestic-scale building features round-arched windows flanking a round-arched doorway.[3]

  • Main entrance to the Great Synagogue.
    Main entrance to the Great Synagogue.
  • Window of the Great Synagogue with bilingual sign.
    Window of the Great Synagogue with bilingual sign.

See also

References
  1. "Official Government of Gibraltar London Website". Archived from the original on 6 March 2007. Retrieved 29 May 2007.
  2. "Gibraltar Jewish Heritage". Jewish Heritage UK. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  3. Sharman Kadish, Jewish Heritage in Gibraltar: An Architectural Guide, Spire books, Reading, 2007, p. 42
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