Karaite Kenassas in Simferopol
Karaites' Kenasas is an amazingly beautiful and unusually harmonic temple complex. For two centuries it was the center of Crimean Karaites' spiritual and religious life. Today it is one of Yevpatoria's most original architectural sights.
Karaites are the most mysterious and scanty Turkic people, representatives of which traditionally profess Karaism - peculiar branch of Judaism. Cavern town Chufut Kale in Bakhchysarai's outskirts used to be their major center in Crimea for a long time. However, after the peninsula was annexed to Russian Empire in the late 18th century, the majority of Crimean Karaites moved to Yevpatoria. At the same time the necessity of the large temple, where the community's representatives could gather for divine services, arose.
Thus, in 1805 a wonderful light building of the Large, or Cathedral, Kenasa - the prayer house meant for festive services - appeared in Yevpatoria's spiritual center. Ten years later the Small Kenasa for regular divine services was built near it, on the place of old (dated by 16th century) Karaites' Temple. Both buildings were carried out in classical style, 'flavored' with Crimean architecture's coloring.
Three elegant inner courtyards lead to the Kenasas' complex. Slabs with Hebrew writings decorate the first one - the Grape Yard. There is also a marble fountain here that served for hand washing before prayer. Slabs with the names of Kenasas' sponsors and marble slabs with information about the most significant events in Karaite community's life decorate the second - the Marble Yard. The oldest slab dates back in 1790. The Marble Yard is notable for marble stele, installed here in memory of Russian Imperator Alexander the Firsts' visit to Kenasas in 1825.
In the year 1921, when Soviet government assumed the power, the Large and the Small Kenasas were closed. Only twenty years later - during the World War II - the Small temple was reopened, and a charity canteen was adjoined to it. The canteen may be seen even today. In the 60s years, the temple complex's premises were occupied by museum of local lore's expositions, sports groups and even by kindergarten. Only in 1999 Kenasas' buildings were returned to Karaites and restored.
Today Karaites' Kenasas are not just a working temple, but a very interesting tourist sight. Excursions are carried out here on free from divine services days. Today an original cafe, offering Karaites' national cuisine, 'Karaman' and the Museum of Karaites' History and Culture function not far from the temple complex.
Zyndzhyrly-Madrasa
There is a suburb Staroselye in Bakhchisarai. Once it was a settlement Salachik, but after deportation in 1944 the majority of the Crimean-Tatar names have disappeared from the map of Crimea. Five centuries ago Salachik has been chosen by the second Crimean khan Mengly І Gyrey for the erection of the temple of science - in this way noble descendants call Zyndzhyrly-madrasa hitherto.
According to the legend, khan's astrologer has disclosed to his master the Divine will - to construct in this place the House for studying sciences. Khan obeyed the will of Allah. He has ordered to all city dwellers to gather on laying the madrasa’s building and addressed to them with the following words, With the Divine help we begin here today the erection of the sanctuary of science. It will help us to become more perfect people in this world and will clear for us the road to Paradise in the other world. All of us will give our force on the service to this duty. And confirming his words by his deeds khan was the first to start the work. He dug the ground and carried the stones together with the others laying the foundation for the future madrasa. Mengly Gyrey used every opportunity to come to participate in the madrasa’s building, and when the edifice was ready he ordered to hang up a massive on the madrasa's doors circuit …
At the solemn opening of the madrasa khan said:
The reason makes the person noble, and the way to the perfection of reason lays through science… the one who does not respect science, be he a khan or a padishah, cannot create anything sound, anything created for future, and dishonor will sooner or later befall him. I have ordered to hang up on the madrasa's doors this circuit to make everyone, no matter who he is, bow his head while entering this sacred temple to show his respect for science. And khan was the first one to enter madrasa, bowing himself low…
The name of this educational institution stems from a word “zyndzhyr - a circuit; “Zyndzhyrly means “connected by circuits”.
And over the entrance there is an inscription in Arabic, which is preserved to our times, This school with the help of Allah the Almighty ordered to build khan Mengly Gyrey, the son of the khan Adzhy Gyrey. May Allah extend the term of his reign up to the end of the age, year 906. [1500].
In Zyndzhyrly people always adhered to three precepts: faith helps those who are wise; only knowledgeable will be loved and respected; authority is nothing if it reigns without knowing and believing.
From the first days of existence of madrasa here reigned severe discipline, order and mutual respect between students and teachers.
To the teaching in Zyndzhyrly-madrasa were accepted only those who due to pure conscience and honor, without predilection and own self-interest, eliminating enmity and connections of family relationship and friendship, on mind and conscience quality appeared to be the most capable and the most worthy, in order not to drop in public estimation educational and moral value of this educational institution. Here lectured first Ulama - experts of theology and jurisprudence. The curriculum lasted ten years - twice less than in other madrasas due to the intensive program.
The students (sokhts) who obtained only elementary education (were able to read Quran and to write) were accepted at the low course where they studied the Arabic language. Those who graduated from other Crimean or Caucasian madrasas on the Аlibiya course were accepted to Zyndzhyrly at the high course and became experts of the Arabic language. Except for Arabic the sokhts studied Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Turkish language, calligraphy, arithmetic, rhetoric, logic and jurisprudence, the science about morals and poetry, Muslim philosophy and aesthetics. In 1867 in the course has been added also the Russian language. Besides the sokhts attended craft classes. The classes were carried out daily for 7 hours.
In Zyndzhyrly were trained imams, teachers, civil servants, and graduates of the temple of sciences had the same level of training as graduates of oriental faculties of universities.