Ghriba pilgrimage
El Ghriba synagogue, Erriadh
The Ghriba pilgrimage brings Jewish pilgrims to the synagogue in Erriadh, Djerba, every spring for the festival of Lag BaOmer. In 2026 it was held from 30 April to 6 May, open to foreign visitors, with rites limited to inside the sanctuary; the 2027 dates have not been announced.
Dates
Last edition: 30 April 2026 – 6 May 2026. The dates of the next edition have not been announced yet.
Source: Kapitalis, 19/04/2026 — accessed 20 October 2026
The Ghriba pilgrimage is the great annual gathering of Tunisia's Jews and their descendants, at El Ghriba synagogue in the village of Erriadh, on Djerba. It takes place in spring, around Lag BaOmer, a Jewish festival that falls on 24 and 25 May in 2027. In 2026 it was held from 30 April to 6 May; the 2027 edition had not been announced as of 3 November 2026.
The synagogue
El Ghriba is regarded as the oldest synagogue in Africa still in use. It stands on its own, about a kilometre from Erriadh, the Hara Sghira ("little quarter"), one of the island's Jewish villages. The most widespread tradition holds that it was founded by priests from Jerusalem. The building is among the monuments inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023 together with the rest of the island.
Around 1,500 Jews live in Tunisia today, compared with nearly 100,000 in the 1950s, and Djerba is home to one of the largest communities in the region.
The pilgrimage rites
The celebrations begin on 14 Iyar, a month of the Jewish calendar, in memory of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNess, and culminate on 18 Iyar, Lag BaOmer, which honours Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Pilgrims visit the synagogue, pray and give alms. Traditionally, a procession carries a large wheeled menorah (candelabrum), decorated with the symbols of the twelve tribes of Israel, through the village.
Scaled-down editions since 2023
On 9 May 2023, during the pilgrimage, a member of the National Guard opened fire near the synagogue. According to the UK Foreign Office, three members of the security forces and two civilians were killed and ten people injured. Keeping away from places where security forces are posted is advised.
Since then the pilgrimage has been held in a restricted format:
- 2024: celebrations cancelled, rites limited to inside the synagogue;
- 2025: pilgrimage restricted to Jews living in Tunisia;
- 2026: reopened to Tunisian and foreign participants, but with activities confined to the sanctuary and no outdoor procession, according to the organising committee chaired by Perez Trabelsi.
The pilgrimage takes place under a heavy police presence. Sabaro presents it as part of island life, not as a reason to travel.
Visiting El Ghriba outside the pilgrimage
The rest of the year, the synagogue is open every day except Saturday, and usually not on Friday afternoons, roughly from 9 am to noon and 3 pm to 5 pm local time. Head and shoulders must be covered, and there is a security check at the entrance. In the same village, Djerbahood displays more than 250 street-art murals.
The Djerba, Zarzis and the South-East page describes the island and the hotels chosen by Sabaro, and the Tunisia safety guide sets out the ministries' advice.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2027 Ghriba pilgrimage?
The dates have not been announced. The pilgrimage culminates at Lag BaOmer, which falls on 24 and 25 May 2027; in 2026 the organising committee announced the dates on 19 April.
Can tourists attend the pilgrimage?
In 2026 it was open to foreign participants, with rites limited to inside the sanctuary. The 2027 conditions will be set by the organising committee.
Can I visit the synagogue the rest of the year?
Yes, every day except Saturday, usually in the morning and late afternoon, with head and shoulders covered and a security check at the entrance.