想要在马拉喀什(Marrakesh)热闹的市集之外寻找一处清静地,位于梅拉区(Mellah)的斯莱特阿扎玛犹太教堂(Slat Al Azama Synagogue)是很多资深旅行者的首选。这座教堂的历史可以追溯到1492年,当时被西班牙驱逐的犹太人来到摩洛哥定居,建立了这处精神家园。它虽然没有巴希亚皇宫那样宏大的规模,却用那抹经典的蓝白色调记录了摩洛哥多元文化的交融。走进这里不需要花费太多钱,通常只需支付20迪拉姆左右的维护费,就能在老城的喧嚣中找回片刻安宁。
斯莱特阿扎玛犹太教堂的名字在希伯来语里意为“伟大之人的教堂”。1492年对于摩洛哥的犹太社区来说是个转折点,大量塞法迪犹太人越过地中海寻求庇护,马拉喀什的这处教堂便是他们落脚后的核心地标。教堂所在的梅拉区建立于1558年,是摩洛哥历史非常悠久的犹太人定居点。在这里漫步,你会发现这里的建筑风格与麦地那其他地方有些不同,带阳台的临街窗户是其标志性的特征。
推开那扇不起眼的木门,眼前会豁然开朗。教堂最吸引人的是那个贴满蓝白马赛克瓷砖的中庭,水池、盆栽与四周的白色墙面构成了一种极其冷静的美感。二楼过去是经学院(Yeshiva),现在被改造成了小型博物馆。墙上挂着许多黑白老照片,记录了20世纪中期以前犹太家庭在摩洛哥的生活场景。你可以看到古老的经卷、传统的服装,甚至是一些已经失传的生活物件。这里的空间感非常紧凑,每一寸墙面似乎都在诉说当年的故事。
教堂的开放时间通常是每天早上9点到下午6点,但如果你计划在周六(Sabbath)前往,可能会吃闭门羹。周五下午受安息日准备的影响,有时也会提前关闭。建议把这里安排在周日到周四之间。由于教堂空间不大,半小时到一个小时的参观时间已经非常充裕。尽量选择清晨刚开门的时候进去,那时候光线洒在蓝色瓷砖上,拍照效果最好,人烟稀少的氛围也更能让人感受到那种历史的沉淀感。
在马拉喀什的老城里找路是个技术活,斯莱特阿扎玛犹太教堂也不例外。它位于Hay Essalam区域,建议先定位到锡铁匠广场(Place des Ferblantiers),然后步行进入梅拉区的巷弄。路边可能会有当地小伙子热情地问你是不是在找犹太教堂,通常给个10迪拉姆的小费他们会把你带到门口。参观完教堂,出门右转走不远就是巨大的米亚拉犹太墓园(Miara Cemetery),那片洁白的墓碑群在夕阳下非常震撼,可以顺便去看看。
是的,教堂会收取小额入场费用于古迹维护。目前成人票价大约在20至30迪拉姆(折合人民币约15至20元),通常只接受现金。建议提前准备好零钱,售票处可能找不开大额面值的迪拉姆钞票。
虽然这里不像清真寺那样严苛,但作为宗教场所,建议穿着得体。短袖短裤在夏天是可以进入的,但尽量避免过于暴露的背心或超短裙。进入祷告大厅时需要保持安静,如果遇到当地人在祷告,请务必关闭相机闪光灯并保持距离。
大部分区域都是允许拍照的,特别是那个漂亮的蓝白庭院。博物馆内部的一些珍贵文物和照片墙也可以拍摄,但建议在拍摄正在祷告的人员前先征得对方同意。目前的规定相对宽松,不需要支付额外的摄影费用。
教堂位于老城南部,距离巴希亚皇宫只有不到10分钟的步行路程。从著名的德吉玛夫纳广场(Jemaa el-Fnaa)走过来大约需要15至20分钟。如果你住在老城北部的民宿,建议打一辆黄色小出租车到梅拉区入口再步行进入。
Shirley May This museum it was the best place we visited in Ouarzazate. The person who welcomed us at the door was friendly and knowledgeable about the place. He showed us every room and explained everything. It was a nice experience, but at the end, he asked us for 50 dirhams for the entrance tickets (25 dirhams per person), which was not mentioned at the beginning of the visit. Additionally, he requested a small donation for his explanation, and we gave 20 dirhams. The visit itself was enjoyable, but I believe it would have been better if he mentioned the entrance fee beforehand. At the end, we felt a bit ambushed and had no choice but to pay.
Luca Mulfari What a great experience run by a very knowledgeable and friendly guide. We stumbled upon this site by accident, but it was a highlight of our trip. We learnt so much about the history of Arabs, Jews, and Berber people. It was fascinating to hear about how they lived side by side for so long. We cant recommend this enough. Make sure you visit!
Csaba Vigyikán If you're in Ouarzazate, don't miss it! Charming piece of history, beautiful artisan memories of a fading world, and a nice proof of Moroccan cultural coexistence. Last but not least, superb guide knowing everything about the Kasbah. Definitely worth a visit!
Elena Marotta Great tour to find more about the moroccan jewish community. We were there on a Sunday afternoon (5ish) and there was no queue at all. Our guide (Abdul) was super friendly and showed us all the many rooms of the Synagogue whilst telling us its history. A very nice spot to visit when in Ouarzazate. Don’t forget to tip the guys before leaving!
Daniel Druker Really interesting. Dates to the 1500's, and contains a very old synagogue and the rabbis quarters. Also serves as a museum for Jewish artifacts from across Morocco. So many very old books. We spent about 30 minutes exploring with the in-house guide. Makes me sad that two communities who lived together side by side for 1,200 years were torn apart by and after WWII. We tipped 100 Dirhams at the end for two people, which seemed appropriate.