The Jewish Museum (Museo Ebraico) in Rome is part of the complex containing the city’s monumental synagogue. It was opened in 1959 in order to create an environment where the religious objects collected by the Jewish community of the city could be displayed. Apart from the permanent collection, there sometimes also are temporary exhibitions.
A brief history of the Synagogue of Rome
The collection is exhibited inside the great Synagogue of Rome, also known as Tempio Maggiore. Construction of the building was started after the Unification of Italy in 1870 and the subsequent demolishment of the Ghetto. The work was completed in 1904.
The architects designing the synagogue were Vincenzo Costa and Osvaldo Armanni. The enormous size of the building (the dome can be seen from almost anywhere in the city) reflects the sense of freedom the Jewish community experienced after the abolishment of the ghetto. Its façade is adorned with Jewish symbols, such as the seven-branched candelabrum, the tablets of the law, the Star of David, and the palm branch.
What to see in the Synagogue
A long hall ending in a polygonal apse ends in a raised space enclosed by a balustrade connecting the tevah (platform from which the religious service is delivered) to the aron (holy chest holding the scrolls of the Torah).
Women’s galleries supported by columns overlook three sides of the hall. The dome is supported by four large central pillars.
16th and 17th century marble furnishings from the Cinque Scole are visible at the end of the side aisles. Elements from the Cinque Scole have also been used to decorate other parts of the complex.
What to see in the Jewish Museum
The Museo Ebraico was reopened in 2005, after a thorough reconstruction. At present it consists of 6 rooms and the collection is organized in such a way that it explains the 2000 years of Jewish history in Rome.
The rooms
Room 1: Exhibits a number of the 800 textiles in possession of the museum, ranging from the times of the Ghetto until the 18th century.
Room 2: Medieval manuscripts and inscriptions on grave stones originating from the catacombs and from the Synagogue in Ostia Antica.
Room 3: Dedicated to religious studies, the Sabbath and the annual Jewish festivities. Objects related to the various feasts and cycles are exhibited.
Room 4: Silver and polychrome marble objects as well as precious textiles that were donated to the Synagogue by the Jews of the ghetto.
Room 5: A video is shown, with interviews and historical news fragments dealing with the deportation of the Jews during the fascist era.
The Jewish Museum ends in a hallway, the first part of which deals with everyday Jewish life in the ghetto and the second half with the decorations in the Cinque Scole. These Cinque Scole were 5 small synagogues gathered in one building. They were demolished in 1908.
Useful information
Address: Lungotevere de’ Cenci – Rome. Phone: +39 06 68400661. Opening hours: From 10:00 till 15:15 (Fridays from 09:00 till 13:15). Ticket price: 11 Euros; children younger than 10, free; Roma Pass holders, 8 Euros. You can book tickets through the official Museo Ebraico website.
Museo Ebraico, Roma
Sources
- Tempio Maggiore – The Great Synagogue of Rome on the “Visit Jewish Italy” website.
- The photo at the top is my own.
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