A Silent Witness to Oran’s Jewish Heritage
Oran, the coastal pearl of western Algeria, holds within its architecture the layered memory of diverse cultures — Arab, Berber, Spanish, French… and Jewish. Among the most evocative monuments of this multi-faith past stands the Ex-Synagogue of Oran — once one of the largest synagogues in North Africa, now a haunting yet dignified reminder of the city’s once-thriving Jewish community.
What Is the Ex-Synagogue of Oran?
Located in the heart of Oran’s city center, this majestic building was originally built as the Great Synagogue of Oran (La Grande Synagogue d’Oran) in 1880. With its grand dome, Corinthian columns, and ornate arches, it was a beacon of Jewish life, identity, and worship. It could accommodate over 1,200 worshippers, making it a central gathering place for a flourishing Jewish population in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In 1975, following Algeria’s independence and the mass exodus of Jews to France and Israel, the synagogue was converted into a mosque — today known as Abdellah Ibn Salam Mosque, named after a 7th-century Jewish convert to Islam.
A Glimpse into Oran’s Jewish Past
Jewish presence in Oran dates back to antiquity, but the community truly expanded under French colonial rule in the 19th century. Granted French citizenship through the Crémieux Decree in 1870, Jews in Oran became influential in trade, law, education, and the arts. The synagogue, completed just a decade later, stood as a proud architectural declaration of their rootedness and modernity.
By the mid-20th century, Oran’s Jewish community numbered over 35,000 people, making it one of the most significant Jewish centers in North Africa.
Architecture & Features
The Ex-Synagogue blends Moorish Revival and Neo-Romanesque styles — a typical choice for synagogues in French North Africa. Notable elements include:
- A large central dome, visible from several streets away
- Twin towers with arched openings and decorative detailing
- Intricate carved stonework and interior colonnades
- Once housed a prominent Sefer Torah and richly decorated bimah (platform)
Though transformed into a mosque, the building retains much of its original structure, offering a rare glimpse into the religious architecture of Algeria’s Jewish heritage.
Symbolism and Memory
For some, the Ex-Synagogue represents a loss — a cultural void left behind. For others, it’s a story of adaptation and continued reverence for a sacred space. Either way, it invites reflection on Oran’s pluralistic past, where Muslims, Jews, and Christians once coexisted more visibly than they do today.
It stands not just as a building, but as a reminder of how memory and identity are inscribed in stone — sometimes celebrated, sometimes repurposed, but never erased.
Why You Should Visit
Though no longer functioning as a synagogue, the site offers rich historical value for:
- Cultural historians and religious heritage researchers
- Photographers and urban explorers interested in multi-faith architecture
- Travelers seeking to understand Oran beyond the surface
Please note that while respectful exterior photography is allowed, entry inside the mosque may be restricted to Muslim visitors only.
Oryx Voyage Tips
- Visit the site during a walking tour of Colonial Oran, which includes the nearby Place 1er Novembre, Rue d’Arzew, and the Cathédrale du Sacré-Cœur (now a library).
- Bring a guide — this monument is more meaningful when its history is told.
- Reflect silently while standing in front of the mosque — the air still whispers with the prayers of centuries.
Explore Oran’s Interfaith Legacy with Oryx Voyage
At Oryx Voyage, we take you beyond the tourist trail to discover the soul of Algeria’s cities — their hidden synagogues, churches, kasbahs, and colonial facades. Our immersive experiences bring the past into dialogue with the present.
Let us guide you through Oran’s multi-faith heritage and reveal stories that most never hear.
📞 Contact us to plan your cultural tour of Oran
☎️ +213 770 00 13 36
🌐 www.visitalgeria.org
