Jewish ghetto

The history of the Rome Ghetto is a living and painful testimony of the complex relationship between the Jewish community and the eternal city. Founded in 1555 by Pope Paul IV with the papal bull “Cum nimis absurdum,” the ghetto was the first established in the Western world and remained active until 1870. Located in the Sant’Angelo district, the ghetto confined its inhabitants to a very restricted area and subjected them to extremely harsh living conditions. The Rome ghetto was surrounded by walls and the gates were closed at sunset and reopened at dawn. Jews were forced to wear yellow distinguishing signs and could only work in certain, often humble and poorly paid, professions. Every year they had to ask for permission to stay in the ghetto, paying a tribute and enduring humiliations, such as having to listen to forced Christian sermons. Living conditions inside the ghetto were miserable. The area was overcrowded and the houses were built upwards to accommodate the entire community, often blocking sunlight and making the environment damp and unhealthy. Diseases were common, and the frequent floods of the Tiber River further worsened the sanitary conditions. Despite everything, the Jewish community managed to keep their cultural and religious identity alive, even developing a unique dialect, Judeo-Romanesco. One of the most significant buildings in the ghetto is the Portico of Octavia, dating back to Roman times and used during the Middle Ages as a fish market. The church of Sant’Angelo in Pescheria, built inside the portico, is an example of how ancient structures were reused and adapted over the centuries. Another important place is the Synagogue of Rome, or Tempio Maggiore, built after the demolition of the ghetto in 1888, when the Jewish community finally obtained the freedom to live anywhere in the city. The end of the ghetto came with the annexation of Rome to the Kingdom of Italy in 1870. The walls were demolished and the Jewish community could finally enjoy the same rights as other citizens. However, the tragic history of the ghetto continued to influence the lives of Roman Jews. During the Nazi occupation in 1943, over 1,000 Jews were deported to extermination camps. Only 16 of them survived. Today, the Rome ghetto is a vibrant neighborhood that celebrates the rich Jewish culture. Its narrow streets and squares, such as Piazza delle Cinque Scole and Piazza Mattei with the famous Turtle Fountain, are fascinating places to explore. Visitors can taste Jewish-Roman cuisine in kosher restaurants, offering traditional dishes like artichokes alla giudia and ricotta and sour cherry tart. Pasticceria Boccione is a landmark for those who want to enjoy traditional Jewish sweets.