Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki

Its main purpose is to preserve and present the history, memory, and cultural heritage of the Jewish community of Thessaloniki, which has a presence in the city spanning more than two thousand years. The museum also serves as a place of remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust and a centre for historical research.

The museum’s collections include a wide range of historical artefacts and documents that survived the destruction of World War II. These include tombstones from the former Jewish cemetery of Thessaloniki, architectural elements from synagogues destroyed during the German occupation, religious objects, rare Hebrew books, family heirlooms, ketubbot (Jewish marriage contracts), personal letters, clothing, textiles, and financial records dating up to 1940. It also holds one of the most significant collections of pre-war family and school photographs, as well as valuable business archives documenting the economic life of the Jewish community in Thessaloniki.

A key exhibition space is dedicated to the history of Jews in Thessaloniki from antiquity to the Second World War, highlighting their religious, social, and economic life. Another important section is devoted to the Holocaust, presenting the tragic fate of the Jewish population during the Nazi occupation. The museum also features a “Hall of Names,” commemorating thousands of identified victims from Thessaloniki.

The building itself is a historic structure, originally constructed in 1904 as a commercial arcade known as the “Yeni Han” (New Building). It survived the great fire of 1917 and was used for various commercial purposes until 1997, before being transformed into a museum and officially opening in 2001. Over time, the museum has been expanded and modernised with new exhibition areas and digital installations.

Today, the Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki plays an important role in preserving memory, promoting research, and educating the public. It organises exhibitions, educational programmes, and collaborations with academic institutions, helping to ensure that the history and heritage of Thessaloniki’s Jewish community remain alive and accessible to future generations.