JEWISH COMMUNITY OF SPLIIT

Split is amongst the oldest Croatian cities and the center of the Split-Dalmatia County. The city was founded inside of a monumental palace built for a Roman emperor Diocletian in 305 AD.

The Jewish community of Split is one of the oldest in Europe. The archaeological excavation from a nearby Roman town prove that the Jews had lived there with the Romans before moving to Split.

The community was enlarged in 1500 by the arrival of expelled Sephardic Jews and again in 1700 by the Ashkenazim. However, it has always been and remained a small community. Nevertheless, the Jews have often been the pioneers in many fields.

The last synagogue was built in 1510 and it is one of the three synagogues in Croatia that were not demolished during the Second World War.

Today there is a small but active community that struggles to keep the tradition alive. It has more visitors than members. There is a very personal approach towards the tourists so by visiting the shul, in a way, you become its member for a day.