This seems like an odd name for a synagogue, especially one so beautiful and large in the center of the Jewish Quarter. It was established in the early 18th century and then destroyed by Muslims in 1721. It lay in ruins for 140 years so it became known as the “hurry”, the ruin. It was rebuilt in 1864 only to be blown up by the Arab Legion when they took the Old City in 1948 during the War of Independence. In 1977 a commemorative arch was erected that is the exact size of one of the large arches you see on each side of the building and then a newly built synagogue modeling the original one was dedicated in 2010.
Photograph of the Hurva Synagogue in 1864
Arch erected after 1967 war to commemorate where the synagogue stood
The rebuilt Hurva Synagogue
The fresco over the door is of the Babylonian exile (586 BCE).
Every project in this country has to have an archaeological research to determine if there was something there worth preserving. In this case they unearthed part of the Roman Cardo (main road in town). This dates to Byzantine times, 6th century.
This shows you what is planned to take visitors along the route of the Cardo (Roman boulevard through the center of town)
A ritual bath was also found from a private residence (1st century BCE to 1st century CE).
The ark and main sanctuary of the synagogue rebuilt to look as close to possible the original designs. Notice part of the wall was original from the “ruins”.
Medallions of holy sites on the four corners below the dome. This one of the “machpela”, burial place of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, and Leah
This medallion shows the grave of Rachel (second wife of Jacob)
Poetry Without Words 