Synagogues In Corfu
Apulian Synagogues
The two Jewish communities in Corfu were in a quiet conflict, so their synagogues were also kept separate. When the first Sephardim Jews arrived in Corfu, the already existing Romaniotes thought they would be assimilated, hence the discord.
Since they had different languages, beliefs, rituals and traditions, the Sephardi built their own synagogue. The Marranos, who arrived later in Corfu, were also included in this synagogue.
It’s hard to determine the names of the two Apulian synagogues, but according to old sources, they were known as Tempio Maggio or Vecchio and Tempio Nuovo.
One of them was located on Solomou Street and the other was on Palaiologou Street.
Both buildings featured the Venetian baroque style and a bipolar axial design, with benches lengthwise. Women could reach inside by external staircases. Their section was located by the balconies.
Apulian synagogues had a Romaniote influence in design, since they both used shaddayot. The old synagogue had a Torah ark inspired from the Greci synagogue, since it has seven sets of rimonim.
Both Apulian synagogues were ruined by the German bombardments on the 13th of September, 1943.
Romaniote Synagogue
Romaniote Jews in Corfu used the Tempio Greco Synagogue, also known as Scuola Greca. The synagogue was built in the 17th century. Fortunately, it wasn’t affected by German bombardments, so it’s still in use today.
It’s also built by Venetian standards. The first floor hosts some offices, while the actual synagogue is actually on the first floor. The courtyard is ideal for communal sukkah. The section for women is no longer accessible. Located at the balcony, it had a separate entrance.
The open interior has the ehal on the eastern wall and the bimah on the western wall. They’re both made of wood.
The interior is opulent and extravagant, with furnishings similar to synagogues from Venice. The inner parohet underlines the Sephardic influence of the synagogue. Over the past years, a well going from the synagogue to the mikveh has been restored and opened to the public.