Karaite Kenassa description and photo - Crimea: Evpatoria (Topic)

Karaite Kenassa description and photo - Crimea: Evpatoria. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photos and a map showing the nearest significant objects.

Photo and description

For two centuries the kenassi located in Yevpatoria have been the spiritual center for the Karaites of Crimea. They are located on Karaimskaya Street, in the historic center of the city. The ensemble of kenassas took shape in the first half of the nineteenth century. Later it was rebuilt several times, but this did not make it less impressive.

The construction of the complex was carried out by an influential family of Karaites named Babovichi. After receiving the Highest permission, Samuil Babovich took up the architectural side of the project, and the financial problems were assigned to Solomon, his brother. It is interesting that Samuil Babovich did not have any special education, but managed to create an amazing architectural ensemble.

The complex includes two buildings of kenass (Big and Small), the portal of the main entrance, marble courtyards and vineyards, a courtyard where prayer is awaited.

Kenasa Bolshaya and Malaya are buildings resembling a hall in their shape with windows extending to two levels. The northern facades have glazed verandas-galleries, where the elders were located before the beginning of the service. At the entrance to the buildings, pointed arches with stone carvings are made. The marble obelisk appeared here as a memory of Alexander I's visit to the Kenassa in 1859.

Both temples ceased their activities in 1927. Small Kenassa reopened in 1942, when German troops were in the Crimea. At the same time, a Karaite museum was made in the Big Kenassa. In 1959, the temple was closed again. For many years, these premises housed various institutions: a local history museum, a museum of atheism, a kindergarten, sports clubs, a bureau of technical inventory.

In 1991 V.Z.Tiriyaki became the head of the Karaite community in Evpatoria. Thanks to him, a fund was created to restore the Malaya Kenassa. All construction work in 1998-1999 was supervised by Tiriyaki. The restored kenassa was opened on September 13, 2005. The double-headed gilded eagle shone again at the top of the kenassa in 2007. The marble obelisk has been restored.

Today kenassa is an architectural monument of national importance. They are visited by tourist groups, there is a library of special literature "Karai-bitikligi". The kenassah also has a museum of culture of the Karaites and "Karaman" - a cafe where dishes of Karaite cuisine are prepared.

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Topic: Karaite Kenassa description and photo - Crimea: Evpatoria.