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Originally constructed in 1568, the synagogue was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1662 and was rebuilt two years later when the Dutch took over Kochi. It features handpainted willow pattern floor tiles brought from Canton in China in the mid- 18th century by Ezekial Rahabi, who was also responsible for the erection of the building's clock tower. A synagogue built at Kochangadi in 1344 has since disappeared, although a stone slab from this building, inscribed in Hebrew, can be found on the inner surface of the wall that surrounds the Mattanchery Synagogue. The area around the synagogue is known as Jewtown and is one of the centres of the Kochi spice trade. Score of small firms huddle together in old, dilapidated buildings and the air is filled with the pungent aromas of ginger, cardamom, cumin, turmeric and cloves. Many Jewish names are visible on premises and there are several curio shops on the street leading to the synagogue. |
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