Museo Ebraico di Roma, the Jewish Museum of Rome, is located in the basement of the Great Synagogue of Rome (Tempio Maggiore di Roma).
The museum holds large collection of works of art produced by the Jewish community. It also offers information on the Jewish presence in Rome since the 2nd century BCE.
A visit to the museum includes a guided tour of the Great Synagogue and of the smaller Spanish Synagogue, or Tempio Spagnolo, in the same complex.
The Jewish Museum of Rome has several collections and exhibits of Judaica of international interest.
There is a Gallery of Antique Marbles from the synagogues of the ghetto, around 100 marble pieces.
Also, displayed is a fascinating collection of textiles from the 15th to the 19th centuries, which includes around 900 liturgical and ceremonial textiles and illuminated parchments.
There are silver liturgical objects, about 400 pieces of silverwork, bound prayer books, and 18th-century lamps, jugs, Ark keys, and bowls.
Additionally, you can view a collection of historical art from the ghetto and old photographs from the 19th century.
The Jewish Synagogue of Rome is the seat of the Chief Rabbi of Rome, and hosted an unexpected visit from Pope John Paul II in 1986, and from Pontiff Pope Francis in 2016.
The museum was established in 1960. It was initially set up in a room behind the Torah ark of the Great Synagogue. In 1980 the staircase leading to the museum was decorated with stained glass by the artist Eva Fischer. To permit expansion the museum was moved to the basement of the Great Synagogue next to the Spanish Synagogue and officially opened on November 22, 2005.
In the early 2000s the museum was renamed "The Jewish Museum of Rome" in order to emphasise the close relationship between the Jewish Community and the city.
A Foundation to support the museum was established and renamed in honour of the former Chief Rabbi, Elio Toaff, in 2009.
Support for the museum and its collection was provided by the European Union, the Italian and Lazio governments, and the city of Rome, as well as by private donations, including from Alcatel. read more