The Jewish community was among the first to settle in Rome, almost 2000 years ago, in the heart of the city. This community lived in harmony with the rest of the population and enjoyed the freedom to practice their religion, and was an example of the religious tolerance that wasn not extended during the reformed christian years. Roman Jews were forced to live enclosed in the ghetto, between 1500s and 1800s, living with a curfew and several restrictions in the crumbling remains of this walled district, known as "Ghetto", that was torn down in the 19th century.
This tour will guide you through one of the most interesting parts of the city, you will visit the remains of the Porch of Octavia, an imposing structure built by the emperor Augustus for his sister, and where, in the middle ages the most important fish market of the city was located. In this market, Jewish women used to collect the market waste in order to cook their famous fish broth. You'll travel from the Roman age through the middle ages and the renaissance, when important Roman families settled there and built their noble palaces. On the inscriptions in this area you can read about the horrible events that occurred during the Nazi occupation of Rome from 1943-44.
At the end of the tour you can visit the modern synagogue on your own and then walk to the Tiberina Island where the Israeli hospital is located on one of the most impressive spots of the city, a river island.
On this tour you will see:
- Piazza del Campidoglio
- Marcellus Theater and the surrounding archaeological area
- Portico d’Ottavia and the fish market
- Medieval alleys
- Piazza delle Cinque Scole
- Via del Portico D’Ottavia
- The Jewish Sinagogue (only outside)
- Tiberine Island
Small group tour
Sinagogue tour inside (only outside)
