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 |
| Faith: | Judaism |
| Denomination: | Orthodox |
| Categories: | Synagogues; Museums |
| Architecture: | Art Deco |
| Date: | 1901-04 |
| Architect: | Vincenzo Costa, Osvaldo Armanni |
| Status: | active |
| Visitor Information | |
| Address: | Lungotevere Cenci 15, 00186 Roma, Italy |
| Coordinates: | 41.89195° N, 12.477982° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| E-mail: | info@museoebraico.roma.it |
| Opening hours: | Jun-Sep: Sun-Thu 10-7, Fri 10-4 Oct-May: Sun-Thu 10-5, Fri 9-2 |
| Cost: | €6 |
| Facilities: | Museum; gift shop; toilets |
Travel Resources
- Rome Map - our detailed interactive map of Rome, plus hand-picked links to more
- Rome Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
- Rome Guided Tours - sightseeing tours and activities in Rome
- Rome Car Rentals - enjoy more travel freedom by picking up a car in Rome
- Rome Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
Article 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
Last updated on October 19, 2009.
