Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Synagogue

The place was known under the Ancient Greek name "Onchesmus" and may have been a part of a proto-Greek area in early 2nd millennium BC. Bronze Age tools typical of Mycenaean Greece have been unearthed in Sarandë which date c. 1400-1100 BC. It was inhabited by the ancient Greek tribe of the Chaonians. Onchesmos flourished as the port of the Chaonian capital Phoenice (modern-day Finiq). It seems to have been a place of importance in the time of Cicero. Saranda, then under the name of Onchesmos, is held to be the site of Albania's first synagogue, which was built in the 4th or 5th century. It is thought that it was built by the descendants of Jewish captives who arrived on the shores of Albania around 70 CE during the First Jewish–Roman War. Onchesmos' synagogue was supplanted by a church in the 6th century. The city was probably raided by the Ostrogoths in 551 CE while during this period it became the target of piratic raids. In a medieval chronicle of 1191 the settlement appears to be abandoned. In the early 19th century during the rule of Ali Pasha its reported that there existed a small settlement. Sarandë in the late Ottoman period consisted of only a harbour being a simple commercial station without permanent residents. In 1878, a Greek rebellion broke out, with revolutionaries taking control of Sarandë. This was suppressed by Ottoman troops. Greek troops occupied it during the Balkan Wars. Later, the town was included in the newly formed Albanian state in 1913, but this was rejected by the local Greek population, and as the Greek army withdrew to the new border, the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus was established. It was then occupied by Italy between 1916 and 1920 as part of the Italian Protectorate on southern Albania. Throughout 1926–1939 of the interwar period, Italy financed extensive improvements to the harbour at Sarandë. Sarandë was a strategic port during the Italian invasion of Greece. During this occupation it was called "Porto Edda" in honor of the eldest daughter of Benito Mussolini. In 1940 the city came under the control of Greek forces. As a result of the German invasion in Greece in April 1941, the town returned to Italian control. In 1944 the town was captured by a group of British commandos and local partisans. The British troops soon withdrew from the region, leaving the region to the Albanian communist forces. As part of the People's Republic of Albania (1945-1991) policies a number of Muslim Albanians were settled from northern Albania in the area. During this period as a result of the atheistic campaign launched by the state the church of Saint Spyridon in the harbor of the city was demolished. In 1991, after the restoration of democracy in Albania a small shrine was erected at the place of the church. Since the fall of communism in Albania, Sarandë has become an important tourist attraction. Tourism is thus the major economic resource, while other resources include services, fisheries and construction. Recently, the town has experienced an uncontrolled construction boom which may hamper the city's future tourism potential. The ruins are the remains of the center of what was once a Jewish community. Here are the archaeological excavations of a 5th century synagogue complex and basilica of ancient Onhezmus.

In 192 BC, the Romans conquered the area and founded the outpost Toletum. Due to its iron ore deposits, Toledo developed into an important settlement. Since the first barbarian invasions, the ancient walls were reinforced. In 411 the Alans and later the Visigoths conquered the city. Toledo was the capital of the Visigoths' empire from about 531 to 711. The Moors conquered the place in 712. Toledo experienced its heyday during the period of Moorish rule as Ṭulayṭula during the Caliphate of Córdoba until its conquest by Alfonso VI in 1085, after a four-year siege. In 1088, only a few years after the conquest, Archbishop Bernard of Toledo obtained confirmation from Pope Urban II that Toledo should hold the "primatus in totis Hispaniarum regnis" (primacy in all the kingdoms of the Iberian dominions). The Archbishop of Toledo is still today the Primate of the Catholic Church of Spain. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Toledo school of translators translated ancient philosophical writings (Plato, Aristotle) that had been translated from Greek into Arabic, but also genuinely Arabic writings from the fields of astronomy, mathematics, Islamic religion and theology into Latin. After the conquest by Alfonso VI, Toledo became the residence of the Kingdom of Castile in 1087 and remained the capital of Spain until 1561. In the 12th century, more than 12,000 Jews lived in Toledo. According to an inscription, this synagogue was built in 1180, but it probably only acquired its current appearance in the 13th century. It is considered the oldest synagogue building in Europe still standing. After the attacks on the Jewish quarter in 1355 and 1391 and the emigration of many Jews, it was converted into a Catholic church in 1405. The synagogue is a Mudéjar construction, created by Moorish architects. But it can also be considered one of the finest examples of Almohad architecture. The plain white interior walls as well as the use of brick and of pillars instead of columns are characteristics of Almohad architecture.

In 192 BC, the Romans conquered the area and founded the outpost Toletum. Due to its iron ore deposits, Toledo developed into an important settlement. Since the first barbarian invasions, the ancient walls were reinforced. In 411 the Alans and later the Visigoths conquered the city. Toledo was the capital of the Visigoths' empire from about 531 to 711. The Moors conquered the place in 712. Toledo experienced its heyday during the period of Moorish rule as Ṭulayṭula during the Caliphate of Córdoba until its conquest by Alfonso VI in 1085, after a four-year siege. In 1088, only a few years after the conquest, Archbishop Bernard of Toledo obtained confirmation from Pope Urban II that Toledo should hold the "primatus in totis Hispaniarum regnis" (primacy in all the kingdoms of the Iberian dominions). The Archbishop of Toledo is still today the Primate of the Catholic Church of Spain. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Toledo school of translators translated ancient philosophical writings (Plato, Aristotle) that had been translated from Greek into Arabic, but also genuinely Arabic writings from the fields of astronomy, mathematics, Islamic religion and theology into Latin. After the conquest by Alfonso VI, Toledo became the residence of the Kingdom of Castile in 1087 and remained the capital of Spain until 1561. In the 12th century, more than 12,000 Jews lived in Toledo. According to an inscription, this synagogue was built in 1180, but it probably only acquired its current appearance in the 13th century. It is considered the oldest synagogue building in Europe still standing. After the attacks on the Jewish quarter in 1355 and 1391 and the emigration of many Jews, it was converted into a Catholic church in 1405. The synagogue is a Mudéjar construction, created by Moorish architects. But it can also be considered one of the finest examples of Almohad architecture. The plain white interior walls as well as the use of brick and of pillars instead of columns are characteristics of Almohad architecture.

In 192 BC, the Romans conquered the area and founded the outpost Toletum. Due to its iron ore deposits, Toledo developed into an important settlement. Since the first barbarian invasions, the ancient walls were reinforced. In 411 the Alans and later the Visigoths conquered the city. Toledo was the capital of the Visigoths' empire from about 531 to 711. The Moors conquered the place in 712. Toledo experienced its heyday during the period of Moorish rule as Ṭulayṭula during the Caliphate of Córdoba until its conquest by Alfonso VI in 1085, after a four-year siege. In 1088, only a few years after the conquest, Archbishop Bernard of Toledo obtained confirmation from Pope Urban II that Toledo should hold the "primatus in totis Hispaniarum regnis" (primacy in all the kingdoms of the Iberian dominions). The Archbishop of Toledo is still today the Primate of the Catholic Church of Spain. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Toledo school of translators translated ancient philosophical writings (Plato, Aristotle) that had been translated from Greek into Arabic, but also genuinely Arabic writings from the fields of astronomy, mathematics, Islamic religion and theology into Latin. After the conquest by Alfonso VI, Toledo became the residence of the Kingdom of Castile in 1087 and remained the capital of Spain until 1561. In the 12th century, more than 12,000 Jews lived in Toledo. According to an inscription, this synagogue was built in 1180, but it probably only acquired its current appearance in the 13th century. It is considered the oldest synagogue building in Europe still standing. After the attacks on the Jewish quarter in 1355 and 1391 and the emigration of many Jews, it was converted into a Catholic church in 1405. The synagogue is a Mudéjar construction, created by Moorish architects. But it can also be considered one of the finest examples of Almohad architecture. The plain white interior walls as well as the use of brick and of pillars instead of columns are characteristics of Almohad architecture.

In 192 BC, the Romans conquered the area and founded the outpost Toletum. Due to its iron ore deposits, Toledo developed into an important settlement. Since the first barbarian invasions, the ancient walls were reinforced. In 411 the Alans and later the Visigoths conquered the city. Toledo was the capital of the Visigoths' empire from about 531 to 711. The Moors conquered the place in 712. Toledo experienced its heyday during the period of Moorish rule as Ṭulayṭula during the Caliphate of Córdoba until its conquest by Alfonso VI in 1085, after a four-year siege. In 1088, only a few years after the conquest, Archbishop Bernard of Toledo obtained confirmation from Pope Urban II that Toledo should hold the "primatus in totis Hispaniarum regnis" (primacy in all the kingdoms of the Iberian dominions). The Archbishop of Toledo is still today the Primate of the Catholic Church of Spain. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Toledo school of translators translated ancient philosophical writings (Plato, Aristotle) that had been translated from Greek into Arabic, but also genuinely Arabic writings from the fields of astronomy, mathematics, Islamic religion and theology into Latin. After the conquest by Alfonso VI, Toledo became the residence of the Kingdom of Castile in 1087 and remained the capital of Spain until 1561. In the 12th century, more than 12,000 Jews lived in Toledo. According to an inscription, this synagogue was built in 1180, but it probably only acquired its current appearance in the 13th century. It is considered the oldest synagogue building in Europe still standing. After the attacks on the Jewish quarter in 1355 and 1391 and the emigration of many Jews, it was converted into a Catholic church in 1405. The synagogue is a Mudéjar construction, created by Moorish architects. But it can also be considered one of the finest examples of Almohad architecture. The plain white interior walls as well as the use of brick and of pillars instead of columns are characteristics of Almohad architecture.

In 192 BC, the Romans conquered the area and founded the outpost Toletum. Due to its iron ore deposits, Toledo developed into an important settlement. Since the first barbarian invasions, the ancient walls were reinforced. In 411 the Alans and later the Visigoths conquered the city. Toledo was the capital of the Visigoths' empire from about 531 to 711. The Moors conquered the place in 712. Toledo experienced its heyday during the period of Moorish rule as Ṭulayṭula during the Caliphate of Córdoba until its conquest by Alfonso VI in 1085, after a four-year siege. In 1088, only a few years after the conquest, Archbishop Bernard of Toledo obtained confirmation from Pope Urban II that Toledo should hold the "primatus in totis Hispaniarum regnis" (primacy in all the kingdoms of the Iberian dominions). The Archbishop of Toledo is still today the Primate of the Catholic Church of Spain. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Toledo school of translators translated ancient philosophical writings (Plato, Aristotle) that had been translated from Greek into Arabic, but also genuinely Arabic writings from the fields of astronomy, mathematics, Islamic religion and theology into Latin. After the conquest by Alfonso VI, Toledo became the residence of the Kingdom of Castile in 1087 and remained the capital of Spain until 1561. In the 12th century, more than 12,000 Jews lived in Toledo. According to an inscription, this synagogue was built in 1180, but it probably only acquired its current appearance in the 13th century. It is considered the oldest synagogue building in Europe still standing. After the attacks on the Jewish quarter in 1355 and 1391 and the emigration of many Jews, it was converted into a Catholic church in 1405. The synagogue is a Mudéjar construction, created by Moorish architects. But it can also be considered one of the finest examples of Almohad architecture. The plain white interior walls as well as the use of brick and of pillars instead of columns are characteristics of Almohad architecture.

The area around Lübeck, today a large city with a population of more than 200,000, had been settled by Slavs since the 7th century. Slavs had a settlement north of the present city called "Liubice", which was razed by the pagan Rani tribe in 1128. 15 years later Adolf II, Count of Schauenburg and Holstein, founded the modern town as a German settlement on the river island of Bucu. He built a new castle, first mentioned as existing in 1147. Adolf II had to cede the castle to the Duke of Saxony, Henry the Lion, in 1158. After Henry's fall from power in 1181, the town became an Imperial city. Emperor Barbarossa ordained that the city should have a ruling council of 20 members. With the council dominated by merchants, trade interests shaped Lübeck's politics for centuries. In the 14th century, Lübeck became the "Queen of the Hanseatic League", being by far the largest and most powerful member of that medieval trade organization. In 1375, Emperor Charles IV named Lübeck one of the five "Glories of the Empire", a title shared with Venice, Rome, Pisa, and Florence. Conflicts about trading privileges resulted in fighting between Lübeck (with the Hanseatic League) and Denmark and Norway – with varying outcome. While Lübeck and the Hanseatic League prevailed in conflicts in 1435 and 1512, Lübeck lost when it became involved in a civil war that raged in Denmark from 1534 to 1536. From then on Lübeck's power slowly declined. The city remained neutral in the Thirty Years' War, but the devastation from the decades-long war and the new transatlantic orientation of European trade caused the Hanseatic League – and thus Lübeck with it – to decline in importance. However, Lübeck still remained an important trading town on the Baltic Sea. After the Jewish community had acquired the land in 1862 the construction of the synagogue began in 1878. It was completed in 1880, built in the so-called "Moorish style" with a dome. On Pogrom Night 1938, the synagogue was desecrated but not set on fire, as it was already slated for sale to the city of Lübeck. The Moorish style elements, as well as the dome, were removed, the building got a plain brick facade and was used as a sports hall. After WWII the synagogue fell into a poor structural condition. A discussion arose in 2012 as to whether or not the historic façade from the time of construction should be restored. The restoration finally began in 2014. Twice, in 1994 and in 1995 arson attacks on the synagogue were carried out. Four right-wing extremists could be identified after the first attack. They were sentenced to prison terms. The perpetrators of the second attack could not be identified.

Cologne is the fourth-largest city in Germany - and one of the oldest. A Germanic tribe, the Ubii, had a settlement here, this was named by the Romans "Oppidum Ubiorum". In 50 AD, the Romans founded "Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium", the city then became the provincial capital of "Germania Inferior". The history of the Jews in Cologne is documented from the year 321. Over its history, the Jewish community has suffered persecutions, many expulsions, massacres and destruction. Because of its continuity, today's Jewish synagogue calls itself the "oldest Jewish congregation north of the Alps". In 1933, before the terror of the Nazis started, 15000 Jews lived in Cologne. There were seven synagogues, that all got severely damaged or destroyed on November 9, 1938 during the nationwide attacks on Jewish-owned property ("Kristallnacht"). The synagogue, located at the Rathenauplatz, was subsequently rebuilt during the 1950s and now is the center of the Jewish community, that today has about 4500 members.