The Romaniote is a Greek-speaking Jewish community that has lived in Ioannina since the 14th century. In the early 20th century, the community consisted of 4000 members, representing about 25% of the city’s total population.&nbsp;When Greece entered World War II in October 1940, the city of Ioannina was the headquarters and logistical base of the Greek Army. After six months of fighting both Italian and German troops, Greece signed an armistice.&nbsp;In April 1941, the country was subjected to a triple occupation by Germany, Italy and Bulgaria. Epirus was ceded to the Italian Zone. In summer 1943, the Italian Army passed over the administration to the Nazi Germany.&nbsp;At that time, two Synagogues were operating in Ioannina. The New Synagogue (Kahal Kadosh Hadash) was located outside the Castle Walls. Before the start of mass deportation, it was looted, vandalised and used as a prison by the Nazis.&nbsp;The Old Synagogue (Kahal Kadosh Yashan) situated in the Jewish Quarter inside the castle, was saved with the help of the Mayor, Dimitrios Vlachleidis, who convinced the Nazis to host the material of Zosimaia Library of Ioannina in the Synagogue and use the building of the Synagogue as a library. The community hid the sacred vessels in the crypt of the Synagogue where they were found after the war.&nbsp;On 25 May 1944, 1870 Greek-Jews were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau, only 112 were to return. Inside the Kahal Kadosh Yashan Synagogue, memorial plaques bear the names of those murdered in the Holocaust of the Romaniote Jews of Ioannina. The synagogue also preserves fragments of the marble decorations from the destroyed synagogue.&nbsp;A Memorial for the ones that were lost in World War II was also erected at the Jewish Cemetery of Ioannina. In 1994, a Romaniote Jewish Holocaust Memorial was inaugurated in the Jewish Quarter.&nbsp;

Greece

Municipality of Ioannina

White building exterior with barred windows on the left and a small wooden entrance with glass panes and a white door below a corrugated metal awning. A concrete walkway leads past a white wall into a courtyard. A hedge and trees are visible in the background.

The Synagogue is located in the center of the Jewish Quarter. Before the Jewish Holocaust of Ioannina in 1944, it was one of the two Synagogues of the Romaniote community.​

 ​Old Synagogue of Ioannina within the walls of Its Kale Castle​ 

Interior of a synagogue room with white columns and arched openings, and a large ornate chandelier hanging from the ceiling. In the center is a stone alcove with a dark backdrop and decorative elements, flanked by framed plaques with dense script and rows of wooden benches with red cushions.

 ​The Synagogue Kahal Kadosh Yashan operated for many centuries, but the building took its present form in 1829. During the Nazi occupation of World War II, the Synagogue was registered as branch of “Zosimaia Library” of Ioannina and this is how it was saved.​

​Old Synagogue of Ioannina (Kahal Kadosh Yashan)

Interior of a synagogue with arched white walls and a chandelier. A raised platform and railing surround wall panels decorated with white Star of David; a smaller maroon-covered table in front also shows a Star of David.

 ​During the Nazi occupation, the holy relics of the Synagogue were hidden in a crypt. After the liberation of Ioannina, they were delivered to the Jewish community members that survived the Holocaust.​

​Last surviving Synagogue of the Romaniote Jews of Ioannina

Interior of a large synagogue hall with white columns and arched ceilings, long rows of dark wooden railings and benches, and multiple ornate chandeliers. Background walls have tall arched windows.

The Old Synagogue of Ioannina is the religious center of the Greek Romaniote Jews around the world. The descendants of the Holocaust victims are gathered here to honor their memory.​

One of the oldest and largest Synagogues in Greece​ 

A glass display case holds four or five weathered stone blocks and a wheel-shaped stone piece, each with faint engraved writing, on a dark floor, with a paper notice and a metal stand at right.

​The Newer Synagogue of Ioannina (Kahal Kadosh Hadash) was vandalized and severely damaged before the deportation of 1,870 Greek Romaniote Jews to Auschwitz-Birkenau death camps, on March 25, 1944.​

Ancienne synagogue d'Ioannina

16, Ioustinianou street, Castle of Ioannina, 45221 Ioannina

Photos

Ancienne synagogue d'Ioannina

​16, Ioustinianou street, Castle of Ioannina, 45221 Ioannina

Photos

16, Ioustinianou street, Castle of Ioannina, 45221 Ioannina