Simferopol Kenesa, or a Prayer House of Karaites
The Simferopol Kenesa is a prayer house of Karaites, built in 1896. A small ethnic group of Karaites traditionally lived in the Crimea and some cities of Western Ukraine and Lithuania. They professed Karaism, a religion that is akin to Judaism. It is known that the word "karaite" was first used in the 9th century. But in general, this is one of the most mysterious peoples, and scientists and historians still debate about its origin. The Karaites built their kenesas in several cities of the Crimea, but Simferopol Kenesa, is reputedly considered the most beautiful. The building can be divided into several architectural styles: Moorish, Gothic and Byzantine.
Simferopol Kenesa testifies of the fact that Crimea has always been a home to people of many nationalities and religions. The Greeks and Scythians followed each other, then the Sarmatians and Tatars came to this land. Their descendants still live in this hospitable land. The Kenesa was rebuilt in the Soviet period and its interiors were damaged. In 1942, it was opened for prayers for awhile, and during the Second World War there was a stable. Now the building has been returned to the Karaites. The Kenesa is open to the public.
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