The Samaritan synagogue was built in the 4th century CE. An imposing building built in an east–west direction, it faces
Mount Gerizim, the holiest site in
Samaritanism. The synagogue
reuses the
ashlar masonry of an earlier
Roman public structure, which was discovered beneath it. The carpet of the main hall of the synagogue is divided into two square panels surrounded by frames of medallions of
azalea leaves. The pacifier medallions are populated with designs of agricultural crops, tools and objects. The design is uniquely naturalistic and accurate. The northern row was adorned with a branch bearing
almonds, sheaves of
wheat,
grapevine twigs modeled on a tripod, a branch bearing
pomegranates,
olive branches,
figs on a branch, a jug pouring
red wine into a saucer and branches bearing red
roses around it. The middle row of medallions between the two rugs depicts
date palm trees, palm panicle and a
sickle. The medallions in the southern row include a branch of
apricots, a branch of
peaches and a branch of
Pinus pinea bearing several
pine cones. == Photo gallery ==