Synagogue – Jewish Museum of Rome
A landmark museum and active place of worship housed in the monumental Tempio Maggiore, presenting centuries of Roman Jewish history within the restored former ghetto.
At a glance
The Jewish Museum of Rome occupies the Tempio Maggiore complex, a centre for encounter, culture and dialogue. Seven exhibition rooms guide visitors through material spanning principally the ghetto period (1555–1870) and contemporary Jewish life in Rome. The museum attracts almost 100,000 visitors annually.
History
The Temple was inaugurated in 1904 on land reclaimed from the demolished medieval ghetto, following an urban master plan from 1888. The Spanish Temple joined the complex in 1932. In 1948, marble furnishings from the Cinque Scole—the five ancient synagogues of the ghetto—were installed, restoring the atmosphere of that vanished community. The museum itself has operated since 1960, preserving objects and memories from the ghetto centuries and the broader Jewish diaspora.
What you see
The monumental building is crowned by a distinctive square-based dome sheathed in aluminium. The interior features art nouveau decoration and a bimah arrangement that departs from strict Roman rite tradition. Marble furnishings and textiles recreate the ambiance of the historic Cinque Scole. An interactive three-dimensional model of the ghetto allows visitors to virtually walk its historic streets and alleys.
Cultural significance
The museum documents one of Europe’s oldest and most resilient Jewish communities, confined to the ghetto for over three centuries. One exhibition room is dedicated to the 4,000 Jews who fled Tripoli and arrived in Rome in 1967, extending the narrative beyond the ghetto period. The permanent collection includes a video reconstruction of the Synagogue of Ostia Antica, linking Roman Jewish heritage across centuries and locations.
Key facts
- Address: Via Catalana (Largo 16 Ottobre 1943), Rome
- Coordinates: 41.8920203, 12.478208
- Museum opening: 1960
- Temple inauguration: 1904
- Telephone: 0668400661
- Website: https://www.museoebraico.roma.it
Practical information
The entrance ticket includes a guided tour of the Synagogue. The museum remains an active place of worship as well as exhibition space. Current opening hours and ticket prices are available on the official website.
Getting there
The Synagogue and museum are located in Rome’s historic Jewish quarter, on Largo 16 Ottobre 1943 (formerly Via Catalana), near the Tiber River. Public transport and detailed directions are best obtained from the official website or by calling ahead.
Sources & resources
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