General information
Program details
A unique guided tour to the Jewish quarter of Rome. In 1555 a ghetto was established on the banks of the Tiber River. The ghetto was essentially a prison-neighborhood within Rome, surrounded by fences and gates. As it was considered unacceptable for Jews to live together with Christians, Pope Paul IV Carafa promulgated a series of restrictions on the Jewish community such as would marginalize it for centuries. It was not until 1848 that Pope Pius IX ordered the dismantling of the doors and walls of the Jewish ghetto, even though the laws restricting Jews remained in force until 1870. In 1888, the whole area was demolished.
However, as the former ghetto quarter represents the uninterrupted relationship between Jews and the city of Rome, the Jewish community chose it to be the home of its Great Synagogue which was inaugurated in 1904. The Synagogue is a symbol of the emancipation achieved by Roman Jews after the abolition of the ghetto. Getting to know this historic area of the city is an unforgettable experience. Our guides are native Romans and they are all allowed to accompany. They were born and bred in the heart of the Jewish-Roman community and they are excited to share with you family anecdotes and secular traditions.
