Jewish Ghetto

Overview

The Jewish Ghetto is one of the oldest, most tightly knit, and profoundly atmospheric Jewish communities in the world (outside the Middle East). Today, it is a bustling, incredibly charming district famous for its deep history, ancient ruins, and exceptional Roman-Jewish cuisine.

Highlights

• The Great Synagogue: The massive, strikingly beautiful, square-domed synagogue serving as the spiritual heart and brilliant museum of the community, built seamlessly in 1904.
• Portico of Octavia: The colossal, romantic ancient Roman ruins standing next to the synagogue, historically functioning as the heart of the grim medieval fish market.
• Piazza Mattei: Just outside the historical borders of the Ghetto lies one of Rome's most charming squares, featuring the elegant 16th-century Turtle Fountain.

History

In 1555, Pope Paul IV issued a brutal papal bull forcibly segregating all Roman Jews into this tiny, flood-prone, squalid, walled district. The community was locked inside every night for over 300 years until the walls were finally torn down when Italy was unified in 1888. Tragically, on October 16, 1943, Nazi forces raided the neighborhood, deporting over 1,000 residents to Auschwitz.

Visitor Tips

• Dining: You cannot leave without eating Carciofi alla Giudia—the legendary, crispy, deep-fried artichoke that is the masterpiece of Roman-Jewish cuisine.
• The Stolpersteine: Look down as you walk the cobblestones to spot the glowing brass "stumbling stones" embedded in front of houses, memorializing the Holocaust victims who lived there.