Jewish Synagogue

        The synagogue is situated next to the Mattanchery Palace and is an important historical monument. The synagogue also known as "Paradesi Synagogue" was built in AD 1567. Later in AD 1664 it was rebuilt by the Dutch. The synagogue is also important in view of the fact that it houses the famous copper plate grant of Bhaskara Ravi Varma dated AD 1000, a golden crown presented by the Maharaja of Travancore in AD 1805 and the great scrolls of the old Testament. There are nearly two hundred and fifty six blue and white willow-pattern tiles, now forming the payment which were brought from Canton in China. These tiles were presented to the synagogue by Mr. Ezekeil Rahabi, a rich merchant who also built a clock tower. The scene depicted on each of these two hundred year old tile is different from the other and no two tiles are alike