Etz Hayyim is the only remaining synagogue in Crete, set among the narrow lanes of Chania’s old Jewish quarter. The building began as a Catholic church in the Venetian era and became a synagogue under Ottoman rule in the 16th century. Restored features include Venetian Gothic arches, a ritual bath and the tombs of three rabbis. Inside, the synagogue offers a quiet place to learn about Chania’s Jewish community and its history. Take time to look around the adjacent museum, too.
From church to synagogue
Etz Hayyim stands in Evraki, Chania’s old Jewish quarter, in a network of narrow lanes near the harbor. The building was originally a Catholic church from the Venetian era. Under Ottoman rule, it became a synagogue in the 16th century. The neighborhood also had another synagogue, Beth Shalom, which was destroyed in the first German bombings.
The Jewish community in Chania endured into the 19th century, when emigration followed political struggles over Crete’s future. Before the Second World War, Chania had the island’s largest Jewish population. The community was devastated during the war. In 1944, many Cretan Jews drowned when a British torpedo sank the ship carrying them toward Auschwitz.
Etz Hayyim was badly damaged during the Second World War and fell into severe disrepair by the end of the 20th century. After restoration, it reopened in 1999. Today it is the last surviving synagogue in Crete and a place to remember the island’s Jewish history.
Architectural details and the museum
Look for the building’s Venetian Gothic arches and the old mikveh, or ritual bath. The site also contains the tombs of three rabbis. These features give the visit a physical connection to the people who worshipped and lived in this part of Chania.
An adjacent museum covers the synagogue’s history and the Jewish community of the last century. Allow time to visit it alongside the main building. A small sign points visitors toward the synagogue in the side streets; at the end of the alley, the Schiavo Bastion is another nearby historic feature, with views over much of Chania’s old centre.
Visiting with care
Etz Hayyim is both a historic site and a functioning spiritual space. Visitors are welcome, and the synagogue has an egalitarian character. Friday night Shabbat services have been held with guitar music; check ahead if you want to attend, as access and events can differ from a standard visit.
The synagogue is open to visitors on weekdays, with shorter hours on Friday, and is closed at weekends. Advance tickets are recommended. The narrow lanes of Evraki can be busy, so an early visit can offer a quieter setting for looking at the architecture and taking time in the space.
Häufige Fragen
Is Etz Hayyim the only synagogue in Crete?
Yes. It is the only remaining synagogue on the island.
What can you see inside Etz Hayyim Synagogue?
The restored building has Venetian Gothic arches, a ritual bath and the tombs of three rabbis. An adjacent museum covers the synagogue’s history.
When can you visit Etz Hayyim Synagogue?
It is open to visitors on weekdays and closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Check current access details before your visit, especially if you plan to attend a Friday night service.
