Great Synagogue, Rome
Exterior of the Great Synagogue of Rome.
Exterior detail.
Lower facade.
Side view.
Hebrew inscription over the entrance door.
Location map and aerial view of Great Synagogue. For a larger interactive view, see our Rome Map.
The Great Synagogue (Tempio Maggiore) of Rome was built to a striking modern design in 1904.
History
Shortly after the unification of Italy in 1870, Victor Emmanuel II dismantled the Roman Ghetto and granted the Jews of Rome full citizenship. The building that had previously housed the ghetto synagogue was demolished and the community began making plans for a new and impressive building.
The present Great Synagogue was built from 1901-1904 on the banks of the Tiber River and overlooks the former ghetto area.
On April 13, 1986, Pope John Paul II paid an unexpected visit to the Great Synagogue of Rome. This event marked the first known visit by a pope to a synagogue since the early history of the Catholic Church.
During his visit, the pope prayed with Rabbi Elio Toaff, the former Chief Rabbi of Rome. This was seen by many as an attempt to improve relations between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people, and as a softening of the Church's historically critical view of Judaism.
What to See
Designed by Vincenzo Costa and Osvaldo Armanni, the eclectic style of the building makes it stand out even in a city known for notable buildings and structures.
The attention-grabbing Art Deco design was a deliberate choice made by the community at the time who wanted the building to be a visible celebration of their freedom and to be seen from many vantage points in the city. The dome is the only squared dome in the city and makes the building easily identifiable even from a distance.
The Synagogue, which celebrated its centenary in 2004, is more than just a house of worship; it also serves as a cultural and organizational center for la Comunità Ebraica di Roma (the Jewish community of Rome). It houses not only the offices of the Chief Rabbi of Rome but the Jewish Museum of Rome as well.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | Great Synagogue; Great Synagogue of Rome; Tempio Maggiore |
| Location: | Rome, Lazio, Italy |
| Categories: | Synagogues; Museums |
| Faith: | Judaism |
| Denomination: | Orthodox |
| Status: | active |
| Date: | 1901-04 |
| Architect: | Vincenzo Costa, Osvaldo Armanni |
| Architecture: | Art Deco |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 41.89195° N, 12.477982° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Address: | Lungotevere Cenci 15, 00186 Roma, Italy |
| E-mail: | info@museoebraico.roma.it |
| Hours: | Jun-Sep: Sun-Thu 10-7, Fri 10-4 Oct-May: Sun-Thu 10-5, Fri 9-2 |
| Cost: | €6 |
| Photography: | Prohibited inside |
| Facilities: | Museum; gift shop; toilets |
Travel Resources
- Rome Map - our detailed interactive map of Rome, plus hand-picked links to more
- Rome Guided Tours - book sightseeing tours and activities in Rome
- Rome Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, then book at the guaranteed lowest rate
- Rome Hostels - reserve budget lodgings with no booking fees
- Rome Car Rentals - get the lowest rate by comparing multiple car companies at a glance
- Rome Flight Search - compare multiple travel sites to find the lowest airfare to Rome
- Rome Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
- Rome Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Rome tourism
Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- Personal visit (July 16, 2006).
- Great Synagogue of Rome - Wikipedia
- The Jewish Museum in Rome, Museo Ebraico Di Roma by David Krusch - Jewish Virtual Library
Article last updated: 10/19/2009.
