Balat Ahrida Synagogue

Turkish Jews

The history of Jews in Anatolia dates back to the 4th century BCE. Their first settlements began during the era of Alexander the Great with the founding of Hellenistic cities. Archaeological finds and written records attest to Jewish presence in ancient cities such as Ephesus, Sardis, and Hierapolis. Throughout the Roman and Byzantine periods, Jewish communities continued to exist in various regions of Anatolia. Following the expulsion from Spain in 1492, Sephardic Jews took refuge in Ottoman lands and settled in many Anatolian cities. In cities like Izmir, Bursa, and Istanbul, Jewish communities became integral to commerce, craftsmanship, and cultural life. Today, the Jewish heritage of Anatolia endures through synagogues, cemeteries, and other historic structures.