El Ghriba Synagogue

El Ghriba stands on the edge of Erriadh, one of the two historic Jewish villages of Djerba, whose community has lived on the island for many centuries. Tradition holds that it was founded by priests fleeing the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem, which would make it one of the oldest synagogues in the world. The present building dates largely from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its prayer hall is richly decorated with blue tiles, painted woodwork, arches and stained glass. Each spring, around the festival of Lag BaOmer, it draws pilgrims from Tunisia and abroad.