Oni Synagogue
Late 19th-century synagogue in Oni, among the grandest in Georgia, built for a once-large Jewish community and still cared for by local families.
Oni SynagoguePhoto: Dato Rostomashvili, CC BY 2.0The synagogue is the most striking building in Oni and one of the finest Jewish houses of worship in Georgia. It is a large stone hall with tall arched windows and a dignified, symmetrical facade, built at the end of the 19th century for a community that then made up a big share of the town's population. Inside, the high prayer hall keeps its Torah ark and wooden furnishings, and the light from the long windows falls on rows of benches that once held hundreds of worshippers.
Georgian Jews lived in Racha for centuries, working as traders and craftsmen, and Oni was one of their main centres outside Tbilisi and Kutaisi. Most emigrated to Israel between the 1970s and the 1990s, and only a few families remain, but the synagogue has been kept up and opens for holidays and visitors. If the door is locked, ask in the neighbouring houses; someone usually knows who holds the key.
History
The synagogue was built in the late 19th century, when Oni's Jewish community was at its largest and the town was a trading centre for Upper Racha. It survived the Soviet decades, when many Georgian synagogues were closed. The 1991 Racha earthquake damaged it badly, and it was repaired in the following years.
What to see and do
- The arched stone facade and tall windows
- The prayer hall and Torah ark
- The story of Racha's Jewish community
- A short walk from the Racha Regional Museum
How to visit
Getting there
In central Oni, a few minutes' walk from the main street. Oni is about 30 km (40 minutes) from Ambrolauri and roughly 2.5 hours from Kutaisi.
When to go
Year-round; ask locally about access. Plan 30 minutes here.
- Men may be asked to cover their heads inside
- A small donation towards upkeep is welcome
- Visit together with the Racha Regional Museum
Oni Synagogue: FAQ
Is the Oni synagogue still in use?
It opens mainly for Jewish holidays and for visitors, as only a few Jewish families still live in Oni.
When was the Oni synagogue built?
In the late 19th century, when Oni had one of the largest Jewish communities in Georgia outside Tbilisi and Kutaisi.
Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Oni Synagogue.
