Portugal Synagogue
The only synagogue in Izmir with a name that indicates the country from which its founders immigrated is the Portuguese Synagogue. It is estimated that this synagogue was founded in 1569 by Jews of Portuguese origin who immigrated from North Africa and Venice. It is one of the six synagogues known to have existed during the reign of Chief Rabbi Yosef Eskapa, i.e. in 1620, and its name is mentioned as the largest synagogue of that period in Izmir. In 1665, the Portuguese Synagogue played an important role in the events surrounding the return of Sabetay Sevi to Izmir. This synagogue, which was considered as the stronghold of the anti-Sabetai movement, closed its doors to Sabetai Sevi with the expansion of the Sabetai movement. In response, Sabetai and his followers entered the synagogue by breaking the door and expelled the rabbis who were the leaders of their opponents. Among them was Salomon Algazi, one of the founders of the Algazi synagogue. In this raid, Sabetai Sevi proclaimed himself the Messiah of the Jews and the day of salvation as June 18, 1666. From then on, the Portuguese synagogue became the center of the Sabetai movement and large parts of Izmir's Jews joined this movement. As people from different parts of the world came to Izmir and joined the Sabetai movement, the widening situation was reported to the palace and Sabetay was summoned to the palace and the atmosphere of rebellion in Izmir was calmed. The Portuguese synagogue burned down in 1976 and today it is completely ruined except for the front wall. The synagogue is located in Kemeraltı, near Havra Street.
