Grande Synagogue de Tunis

Tunis


The winning entry in an architectural contest held in 1911, this concrete building with a huge Star of David on its facade was designed by French-Tunisian architect Victor Valensi. French-Moroccan banker, businessman and philanthropist Daniel Iffla Osiris funded its construction, which occurred between 1933 and 1937. The synagogue is heavily guarded and rarely used; note that neither the guards nor the local Jewish community like people to photograph the building.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Tunis attractions

1. Villa Boublil

0.35 MILES

This building is an art deco masterpiece that was designed by JG Ellul.

2. Rue Lenine Street Art

0.54 MILES

The walls of derelict buildings on this street have been used as open-air canvases by local street artists.

3. Lycee Bourguiba

0.56 MILES

Arabisant-style building on one of Centre Ville's main boulevards.

4. Institut Française de Tunisie

0.58 MILES

Housed in a building elegantly revamped by Richter+Partner with Karim Jeddi-Gonzales, the Institut Française hosts a rich program of cultural activities…

6. Zaouia of Sidi Mehrez

0.74 MILES

Final resting place of Sidi Mehrez, Tunis’ patron saint. Women offer prayers here to be endowed with a husband or children.

7. Saheb Ettaba Mosque

0.74 MILES

This mosque dates from the 19th century (though the minaret was added only in 1970), when Halfaouine was an emerging fashionable quarter. It forms part of…

8. Dar El Monastiri

0.75 MILES

Built at the beginning of the 19th century for the son of Mahmud Bey, the seventh leader of the Husainid Dynasty, and then gifted to M'hamed El Monastiri,…