Jewish Martyrs Square & Synagogue in Rhodes

Located within the UNESCO-protected Old Town of Rhodes, the Square of the Jewish Martyrs and the adjacent Kahal Shalom Synagogue stand as profound testaments to a Jewish presence on the island that dates back millennia. These sites anchor the former Jewish Quarter, known as La Juderia, and narrate a story of cultural flourishing, resilience, and the tragic events of the Holocaust.

The Square of the Jewish Martyrs

Known in Greek as Evreon Martyron Square, this public space was officially named in 1946 by Mayor Gabriel Charitos to honor the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. The square features a central fountain decorated with three seahorses, which replaced an earlier fountain destroyed during World War II.

A prominent feature is the black marble Holocaust Memorial, dedicated on June 23, 2002. Donated by Victor Restis, the six-sided monument commemorates the victims from Rhodes and Cos. It bears the poignant inscription “Never Forget” in six languages: Greek, French, Italian, English, Hebrew, and Judeo-Spanish (Ladino).

Kahal Shalom Synagogue: A Historic Sanctuary

Adjacent to the square is the Kahal Shalom Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in Greece. Completed in 1577, its full name is Kahal Kadosh Shalom (Holy Congregation of Peace), and it remains the only synagogue still holding services on Rhodes. The interior reflects traditional Sephardic style, with the tevah (prayer reading table) in the center, facing southeast toward Jerusalem. The floor is a distinctive black and white stone mosaic crafted from local materials, a design common in the Old Town's alleys.

Architecturally, the synagogue is notable for having two Torah arks. In 1935, a balcony for women's prayer was added, a change resulting from more liberalized religious policies. The rooms that once served as the women's prayer area now house the Jewish Museum of Rhodes, founded in 1997 by Aron Hasson, a third-generation Rhodian.

A Long and Complex History

The Jewish community of Rhodes dates to the 2nd century BC. It was significantly shaped by the arrival of Sephardic Jews fleeing the Spanish Inquisition in 1492, who brought their culture and the Ladino language. The community prospered under Ottoman rule, which began in 1522, and reached a population of up to 4,500 in the early 20th century.

The Italian occupation in 1912 and the subsequent Fascist racial laws of the 1930s prompted many to emigrate. The darkest period came with the German occupation in 1943. On July 23, 1944, 1,673 members of the Jewish community were rounded up and deported to the Auschwitz extermination camp; only about 151 survived. During this time, an act of interfaith solidarity occurred when a Torah scroll was smuggled from the synagogue and hidden for safekeeping under the pulpit of the Murad Reis Mosque by the Mufti of Rhodes.

The Sites Today

Today, the Square of the Jewish Martyrs is a tranquil space for reflection, surrounded by small shops and cafes. The Kahal Shalom Synagogue operates primarily as a museum and historical monument, open to the public daily from April to October. Religious services are held mainly in the summer and on holidays, coinciding with visits from Jewish tourists and descendants. The Jewish Museum of Rhodes preserves the community's rich heritage, welcoming around 20,000 visitors annually. The local Jewish community is now very small, numbering between 20 and 35 individuals.