Jewish Synagogue
The high watermark of Jewish traditions in India.
Clocktower at Jewish Synagogue
This is a 18th century addition to the much older structure.
B
uilt over 500 years back, this Synagogue is the star attraction in Kerala’s heritage map.Period furniture made of teak & rosewood, rows of chandelier and the bluish floor made of hand painted willow tiles brought from China is what will attract your attention as you enter this place of worship.
Floor Tiles: These porcelain tiles of of antiquity was brought from China. Each hand painter with unique willow design.
Copper Plate: Two 10th century copper plates of privileges given to Joseph Rabban, the earliest known Cochin Jew, the king of Kochi.
Scroll : inscription of Old Testament in Hebrew.
Tablet: This tablet on the outer wall was brought from the nearby Synagogue ( Kochi has many Synagogues, apart from this). Installed in 1344, the tablet says , the structure was built in 5105 (in the Hebrew Calendar ) as "an abode for the spirit of God."
Clock Tower: This is a much later addition , during the 18th century.
Environs: The Synagogue is at the end of a narrow street in the living quarters. An erstwhile trading center , inhabited by the community, today it’s chock a block with curios shops and dealing of ‘antiques’.
Synagogue shares wall with the Mattancherry palace temple.
Close to 7 hundred years of Jewish tradition in India, for that matter anywhere east of Israel, is preserved here. Living and Intact.
Synagog is open 10am to noon. Reopens 2pm to 5pm. Closed on Fridays, Saturdays and Jewish holidays.
Club your itinerary with the the Dutch Palace(Mattancherry Palace) nearby.
To each quickly from ernakulam side, take a ferry from the boat jetty in Marine Drive to Mattancherry. Walk 5 minutes to the Palace & Synagogue.
There also a local bus station near the palace. You can get city bus from here of local Fort Kochi & Mattancherry area as well as to the mainland Ernakulam side.
Court of the Jewish Synagogue
The main access point for the Jewish Synagogue in Mattancherry. The ticket counter is just next to this doorway on the left. Note the 18th century clock tower, a later addition to the Synagogue.
Entry to the Jewish Synagogue
Humble looking entry point for the 6 centuries old Paradesi Synagogue in Fort Kochi
Roofs of Hindu Temple & Jewish Synagogue
In the foreground is the entry door and roof of the temple inside the Mattancherry Palace. The central circular roof of the temple is made of copper plates. Beyond the compound wall in the middle is the Jewish Synagogue. Both are made with terracotta tiles, a traditional roofing material in Kerala.
Street to Jewish Synagogue
This leads to the Jewish Synagogue in Mattancherry. This narrow street is filled with curios shops aimed at the tourists.
Fort Kochi
Facade of Santa Cruz Basilica in Fort Kochi. Note the Gothic / European style architecture.
Court of the Jewish Synagogue
Entry to the Jewish Synagogue
Roofs of Hindu Temple & Jewish Synagogue
Street to Jewish Synagogue
Fort Kochi
Facade of Santa Cruz Basilica
Facade of Santa Cruz Basilica in Fort Kochi. Note the Gothic / European style architecture.