A guide to Italy's Jewish historical landmarks

From ancient synagogues to modern museums, this vibrant heritage tells the story of a community that has thrived for over 2,000 years. Here, we explore the significant synagogues, museums, cemeteries, and archaeological sites that highlight the Jewish heritage in Italy.

In addition to Italy's renowned tourist attractions like Lake Como, Lake Garda, the Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and St. Mark's Square, visitors can explore significant historical sites related to Jewish heritage. This includes ancient synagogues, museums, and Jewish ghettos that tell the rich story of Jewish life in Italy. The authors at Itinerary.Expert have compiled a list of both notable and lesser-known Jewish landmarks, offering a unique perspective on Italy's diverse cultural history.

Synagogues in Italy

Ancient Synagogue of Ancona (16th Century)

Ancona, a historic port city, has long hosted a significant Jewish population. The Ancient Synagogue of Ancona, built in the 16th century, served as a refuge for Jews escaping persecution. Despite changes over time, it symbolizes the resilience of the Jewish community.

Notable Features:

• Refuge during the Inquisition.
• Renovated elements that maintain historic character.
• A testament to survival amid persecution.

Address: 10 Astagno Street, Ancona

Synagogue of Casale Monferrato

Constructed in 1595, the Synagogue of Casale Monferrato showcases Baroque architecture with lavish decorations. Considered one of Italy's most beautiful synagogues, its grandeur reflects the prosperity of the Jewish community during the Renaissance.

Notable Features:

• Luxurious Baroque interior.
• Stunning woodwork and ceiling design.
• Active in cultural events, including interfaith dialogues.

Address: Salomone Orper 44, Casale Monferrato, Province of Alessandria

Synagogue of Alessandria (1871)

Built in 1871, this synagogue embodies the new civil equality achieved by Jews after Italy's unification. Its impressive façade and spacious interior symbolize the community's aspirations.

Notable Features:

• Elegant neoclassical façade.
• Large spaces for gatherings.
• Represents Jewish emancipation post-unification.

Address: Via Milano 7, Alessandria

Jewish Museums in Italy

National Museum of Italian Jewry and Jewish History (MEIS), Ferrara

The MEIS, located in Ferrara, pays homage to the history of Jews in Italy, focusing on the Holocaust and the community's enduring presence.

• Permanent Exhibits: Over 2,000 years of Jewish history through artifacts and personal stories.
• Special Exhibitions: Various themes in Jewish culture and art.
• Cultural Events: Annual Jewish Book Festival discussing literature and philosophy.

Address: Via Piangipane 81, 44121 Ferrara

Jewish Museum of Merano

Adjacent to the historic Merano Synagogue, this museum offers a comprehensive overview of Jewish life and history in South Tyrol.

• Thematic Exhibits: Traditions and religious practices.
• Artifacts: Ritual tools, religious texts, and personal items.
• Historical Context: Focus on resilience during adversity.

Address: Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Straße 25, 39012 Merano, Italy

Jewish Museum of Rome

Located next to the Great Synagogue of Rome, this museum explores the complex history of Jewish life in the city.

• Seven Thematic Halls: Covering various aspects of Roman Jewish history.
• Roman Silver Collection: Silver objects from the 17th and 18th centuries.
• Life in the Ghetto: Manuscripts and personal items from the ghetto period.
• Ancient Marble Gallery: Jewish tombstones and architectural fragments.

Address: Lungotevere de Cenci 15, 00186 Rome

Jewish Museum of Bologna

This museum presents the history of Jews in Bologna through a modern, multimedia approach.

• Multimedia Exhibits: Digital displays about Jewish families and customs.
• Resource Center: Archive of manuscripts and photographs.
• Educational Programs: Raising awareness about the Holocaust.

Address: Via Valdonica 1/5, 40126 Bologna

Jewish Cemeteries

Old Jewish Cemetery in Monte Cardeto, Ancona

Dating back to 1428, this cemetery offers a serene atmosphere overlooking the Adriatic Sea, preserving the legacy of Ancona's Jewish community.

Main Features:

• Ancient tombstones inscribed in Hebrew.
• Burial sites of prominent Ancona Jews.

Address: Via Monte Cardeto, 60121 Ancona

Cemetery of Asti

An important part of Asti's Jewish heritage, this well-preserved cemetery reflects the diversity of the local Jewish community.

Key Features:

• A range of ancient and modern headstones.

Address: Via Francesco Corradi 8, 14100 Asti

Jewish Cemetery of Carmagnola

Dating back to 1599, this historic site reflects the Jewish community's rich heritage, despite urban development obscuring its original location.

Key Features:

• Historic significance as an early burial site.

Address: Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII, Carmagnola

Archaeological Discoveries Unearthing the Past

Synagogues of Bova Marina

Dating back to Late Antiquity, the Synagogues of Bova Marina reveal the grandeur of the ancient Jewish community.

• Architecture and Layout: Insights into the design of ancient Jewish places of worship.
• Excavated Artifacts: Mosaics, seals, and oil lamps showcasing artistry and devotion.
• Museum: Displays artifacts and their historical significance.
• Address: Via Nazionale, 89035 Bova Marina (RC)

Historical Ghettos

The Jewish Ghetto of Venice (Ghetto di Venezia)

The world’s first Jewish ghetto was established in 1516 in Venice, Italy. The term "ghetto" originates from the Italian word "getto," meaning "foundry," as the area once served as a site for metal casting. The ghetto is located in the Cannaregio district on an island surrounded by canals, accessible via bridges from the main city.

The Jewish Ghetto of Venice is divided into three main areas:

• Ghetto Nuovo: The first area was allocated to Jews in 1516.
• Ghetto Vecchio: Expanded in 1541 for Spanish and Levantine Jews.
• Ghetto Nuovissimo: Added in 1633.

At the entrances to the ghetto, gates were installed and closed every night. Jews were allowed to leave the ghetto only during the day and were required to wear identifying marks. Due to these spatial restrictions, the buildings within the ghetto were constructed to great heights (up to eight stories), which was unusual for Venice at that time.

The ghetto housed five main synagogues, representing different communities:

• Scuola Grande Tedesca: Built in 1528.
• Scuola Canton: Constructed in 1532.
• Scuola Italiana: Erected in 1575.
• Scuola Levantina: Established in 1541.
• Scuola Spagnola: Built in 1580.

The ghetto was officially abolished in 1797 with Napoleon’s conquest of Venice. Today, the area serves as a vibrant Jewish cultural center, featuring a Jewish museum, active synagogues, kosher shops, and restaurants. Visitors can still recognize the original historical structures, and guided tours allow them to explore the rich history of the place.

The Ghetto of Bologna (Ghetto di Bologna)

In 1555, under the orders of Pope Paul IV, ghettos were established throughout the Papal States. The ghetto in Bologna was located in a medieval area of the city, between present-day Via Zamboni and Via Oberdan. It was separated from surrounding homes by special walls designed to limit access to three entry points:

• One at the beginning of Via dei Giudei.
• Another on Via Oberdan, near Piazzetta San Simone e Giuda.
• The third on Via Del Carro, facing Piazzetta San Donato.
  • The ancient kosher bakery (Forno delle Azzime)
  • The ritual bath (Bagno Rituale)
  • The kosher wine cellar (Cantina Kasher)
  • The kosher butcher shop (Macelleria Kasher)

The ghetto was officially closed in 1566 by the papal commissioner Angelo Antonio Amati.

Pitigliano: Italy's Little Jerusalem

Pitigliano, a small town in Tuscany, has earned the nickname "Little Jerusalem of Italy" due to its thriving Jewish community that has existed for centuries. In the 16th century, as Pope Paul IV initiated a campaign against Jews across Italy, Pitigliano, under the rule of the Orsini family, provided refuge for many Jews seeking safety.

Key Jewish Sites in Pitigliano:

1. The Ancient Synagogue (Sinagoga di Pitigliano)
   Located at Via Zuccarelli, 58017 Pitigliano GR, Italy, this synagogue was built in the 16th century and renovated in the 19th century. Its striking architecture combines Baroque elements with Italian Jewish traditions. The building survived World War II thanks to the protection of the local residents.
2. The Jewish Museum (Museo Ebraico)
   Situated at Via Zuccarelli 4, 58017 Pitigliano GR, Italy, this museum is housed in a building adjacent to the synagogue. It showcases the history of the Jewish community in Pitigliano, featuring religious artifacts, historical documents, and everyday items.
3. The Jewish Quarter (La Piccola Gerusalemme)
   Located at Via della Sinagoga, 58017 Pitigliano GR, Italy, this area includes:
4. The Old Jewish Cemetery (Cimitero Ebraico)
   Found outside the city walls on Strada Provinciale 127, 58017 Pitigliano GR, Italy, this cemetery contains gravestones dating from the 16th to the 20th century.

During World War II, the Christian residents of Pitigliano protected their Jewish neighbors from the Nazis, hiding them in the ancient underground tunnels of the town. Today, although the Jewish community is quite small, Pitigliano retains its rich Jewish heritage and serves as an important tourist destination that tells the story of the Jewish community in Italy.

Written by Neta Gimpel, travel expert at Itinerary.Expert