An Analysis of Architectural Characteristics of the Synagogues of Joybare Neighborhood in Isfahan during the Qajar Period based on a Systemic Approach in Architecture

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Arezoo Hosseini
Ph. D in Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
10.22034/usd.2026.2022607.1213
Abstract
The life of the Jewish people and the coexistence of Muslims and Jews in Isfahan have 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. In this regard, using library and field research as well as using comparative-analytical research method, the architectural characteristics of the Qajar synagogues in Joybare neighborhood of Isfahan have been compared, 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. In the last step, the architectural principles of Joybare neighborhood synagogues in Isfahan during the Qajar period, such as human scale (observance of human scale, avoidance of high building height, meeting the needs of residents); avoidance of futility (moderation in decorations, size of the building and creating multifunctional spaces); introversion (inward-focused and reserved); hierarchy of spaces (from public to private spaces); 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.
Keywords
Systemic Approach in Architecture
Synagogues
Joybare Neighborhood
the Qajar Era
Isfahan
Subjects
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Journal of Urban Sustainable Development
Volume 7, Issue 23
Summer 2026
Pages 1-16