Synagogue Overview

View looking southwest at the synagogue that was excavated at Gamala.  The entrance is on the west southwestern wall (above right of center).  The exterior of the synagogue measures 84 x 56 ft. [25.5 x 17 m.].

Note the benches that surround the central hall and the replaced columns.  On the right (north) side of the image is the northern wall of the synagogue while on the left (south) the site of Gamala falls away precipitously into the Nahal Daliyot (note the green in the upper left of the image—the hillside on the far side of the Nahal).

Some suggest that it was built as early as the rule of Alexander Jannaeus (103–76 B.C.).  If this is the case, then it is probably the earliest preserved synagogue in Israel.

In the upper portion of the image is a white roof that covers the nearby ritual bath (miqveh).

For a view from the east Click Here.

For a brief description of Gamala and a map Click Here.