The Synagogue of Sardis is the ruin of one of the largest ancient synagogues ever found. It lies in the ancient city of Sardis, beside the great Roman bath and gymnasium, and its main hall could hold nearly a thousand people.
| Where | Near the village of Sart, Salihli district, Manisa Province |
|---|---|
| Main hall | Over 50 meters long |
| Uncovered | 1962 |
Synagogue of Sardis is a magnificent building that I visited especially in the Seven Churches tours in Sardes Antique City in Salihli district of Manisa. It is known that Sardis, which was the capital of the Lydians during the Iron Age period, was founded in 1300 BC and was abandoned in 1200 AD. Sardes is one of the most important cities of its period because it was the first place where money was minted, the homeland of the famously rich king Croesus and the beginning of the King’s Road.
History of Synagogue of Sardis
It is estimated that the synagogue, which was known to be built in 212 BC, was used by the Jewish community which was approximately ten thousand people. It is understood from a Hebrew inscription that the emperor who gave the building to the Jewish community of the city could be Emperor Lucius Verus. There is a large pool in the middle of the synagogue. This pool is believed to be the place where young girls bless themselves before getting married. Three different doors are used to go from the “pool hall” to the main hall. Men and women used to pass through two separate doors, and clergymen through their private doors. The walls and locations of the hall attract attention with its mosaic, inscription, and wall decorations which are kept in the Manisa Museum. To the east of the synagogue, there is the Honor Lodge and Rabbi Chair, where the notables of the city sit, and where the problems of the city are discussed and decided.
Hire a Tour Guide for Sardis Synagogue
The Sardes excavations, which were initiated before the First World War, have been continuing since 1958. Two leading universities are working on the Sardis excavations, which are Harvard and Cornell universities.
What Can You See Inside the Synagogue of Sardis?
You enter from colonnaded forecourt into the huge main hall. Two shrines stood on both sides of the central door, probably for the Torah scrolls, and a heavy marble table with stone lions beside it stands at the far end, in front of the apse.
The floor was covered with mosaics, mostly geometric patterns. Many donors who paid for the floor and the marble walls had their names carved on plaques. Many of them were citizens of Sardis, and some were city councilors.
What Is Sardis in Revelation?
Sardis was one of the seven churches of Revelation, and its letter is Revelation 3:1-6. It tells the church that it has a name of being alive but is dead, and asks it to wake up. So Jews and Christians lived in the same city. I explain the letter in my post on the letter to Sardis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What language are the inscriptions in the Sardis synagogue?
Mostly Greek. More than eighty Greek inscriptions have been found, and seven in Hebrew. Most are plaques that name the donors who paid for the floor and walls.
Is Sardis a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes, since July 2025. UNESCO listed Sardis together with Bin Tepe, a field of more than a hundred Lydian burial mounds. It brought the number of World Heritage Sites in Turkey to 22.
When did the Sardis synagogue go out of use?
It went out of use in the early 7th century, a time when Sardis was badly hit by war and an earthquake. Then hall slowly fell into ruin.
Sardis ruins and the synagogue of Sardis can be visited all days of the week. Sardis is open for visits between 09:00 – 19:00 in Summertime and between 08:00–17:00 in wintertime. The entrance fee is 3 Euros and tickets can be bought at the entrance. There are free-of-charge toilets provided at the entrance too. Sardis is a must-see place when it comes to touring biblical sites in western Turkey, especially for groups who want to have the ” Seven Churches of the Apocalypse ” tour. I also recommend Sardis for my guests who believe in Judaism. I hope one day you will have a chance to see this amazing place with a great history. You can write to me to ask questions about Sardis. You can hire a private tour guide to see Sardis ancient site by contacting me. See you soon, Hasan Gülday.
