An Analysis of Architectural Characteristics of the Synagogues of Joybare Neighborhood in Isfahan during the Qajar Period

The life of the Jewish people and the coexistence of Muslims and Jews in Isfahan has a long history; consequently, many synagogues have been built in this city. Most of these synagogues were built in the Joybare neighborhood of Isfahan with the largest Jewish population in the Qajar era. The main purpose of this research is to identify and analyze the architectural characteristics of the Qajar synagogues in Isfahan based on a systematic approach in architecture besides considering their response to the cultural-religious needs of the Jews lived in Joybare neighborhood. The main question of the present research is what the architectural features and principles of the Qajar synagogues in Joibare neighborhood of Isfahan are. To answer this question, by using library and field research as well as using comparative-analytical research method, in the first step, the architecture of these synagogues in terms a Systemic Approach (cultural-environmental, functional, physical and structural systems). have been analyzed, then the common architectural patterns in these synagogues have been recognized. Despite the similarities were seen in most of the Qajar synagogues in Isfahan, there were differences in these buildings in terms of spatial-functional characteristics (the typology of geometry and main spaces in the synagogue architecture) and physical-structural characteristics (architectural ornaments, lightings and structures) were observed. The ruling style of the architecture of these synagogues, following the common style of traditional Iranian architecture, was simple and dependent on the surrounding environment. The Qajar synagogues of Joybare neighborhood of Isfahan are divided into five types: 2-part, 3-part, 9-part, cruciform and octagonal in terms of plan geometry. Natural light plays an important role in conveying mystical feeling to the interior; For this purpose, lighting of these spaces is provided by windows and skylights with an octahedron shape. In interior spaces, the most decorations are in the western axis facing Jerusalem; to be more precise, at the hekhal (Torah ark) and after that at the bilocular, wherein special ceremonies are held by the monks. In the last step, the architectural principles of Joybare neighborhood synagogues in Isfahan during the Qajar period, such as humility in architecture; hierarchy of spaces (from public to private spaces); introversion (inward-focused and reserved); centralism (creating centrality, privacy, spatial hierarchy, as well as forbidding over-looking); spatial orientation; and spatial zoning (between man’s and woman’s territory) were also extracted. The principle of spatial hierarchy has been created through the design of many spaces such as stairs, vestibule, corridor and courtyard to pass from the outside of the synagogue to the inside. This principle has had a significant impact on the formation of introverted architecture through the creation of indirect entrance. In terms of the centralism and spatial orientation architectural principles, half of these synagogues have centripetal interiors and the other half generally have east-west orientation. In order to create spatial zoning between the spatial territory of women and men, a separate space, generally in the form of a mezzanine which is not connected with the main hall of the place of worship, is intended for the accommodation of women.