Karaite Kenesa

Karaite Kenesa

At the end of the nineteenth century, more than 100 Karaite families, the Turkic-speaking adherents of Karaimism (a religious movement based on the texts of the Old Testament), lived in Berdyansk.

  Back in the mid-nineteenth century, the Karaite synagogue was built with the community's funds, and in 1899 a new kenassa prayer house appeared on this site. It was built in the Moorish style. In the 20-ies of the 19th century, the kenassa was closed, and its property was sold. Today, attempts are being made to restore the building to its religious purpose.