The Libyan synagogue of Jaffa

The building was originally built as a khan (a roadside hostel) in 1740 near the Port of Jaffa by Ottoman authorities in Constantinople. It was the only Jewish khan in the city, available for Jewish pilgrims going to Jerusalem and other holy cities in the area.In addition to reception rooms for pilgrims, the khan also had a synagogue and a mikvah (Jewish ritual bath).

According to legend, the Libyan Jewish community was looking for a building to serve as a synagogue, when they ran into a Franciscan priest from St. Peter's Church in Jaffa, who gave them the keys to the building and told them that the building used to be a synagogue.