A Jewish tour of Rome

The Jewish Synagogue in Rome. Photo by scazon via Flickr.

Even though a lot of pilgrims in Rome are Roman Catholic, there has been a very active Jewish community throughout the ages as well. If you would like to visit some top Jewish sights in Rome, please enjoy these suggestions:

The Ostia Antica synagogue

Actually outside of Rome, near the Meditteranean shore, is Ostia Antica. This was the ancient seaport that served throughout history as hotspot for various trades. A fairly big population of Jewish middle-class tradesmen worked here, and a synagogue was built by the Jewish community at the end of the 1st century AD. It’s one of the oldest synagogues in the world, the oldest in all of Europe and the oldest mainstream Jewish synagogue discovered outside of Israel.

The synagogue remained operational until the 5th century AD, but the remains can still be visited today. A visited combined with the rest of the Imperial ruins at Ostia Antica is well worth the trip.

The synagogue of Rome

Longtovere Cenci, the synagogue of Rome, holds an interesting museum about the history of Jews in Rome. The synagogue’s construction finished in 1904 and features in a distinct design with Persian influences.

The Jewish community of Rome during World War Two

During World War Two, many Jews throughout Europe where deported to concentration camps. Unfortunately Rome was no exception to this cruelty. Most deportations happened at the small piazza in front of Portico di Ottavia, an ancient Roman temple building. This is also the heart of the old Jewish ghetto of Rome.