The Great Synagogue of Florence, or Tempio Maggiore, is a beautiful synagogue built in Florence between 1874 and 1882. It was created during the age of Jewish emancipation in Italy after the Duchy of Tuscany gave the Jewish community the status of free citizens in 1848. Jewish architects, Mariano Falcini, Professor Vincente Micheli and Marco Treves, chose a Moorish style because that style was never used for churches. The synagogue was constructed in a Sephardic style to pay homage to the roots of Sephardic Jewry from Berber Moorish Spain. The masonry is amazing. Layers of travertine and granite create a striped effect. The floor has a pattern filled with Stars of David. The central dome is similar to the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. The corner horseshoe-arched towers have onion domes which were popular in the Moorish Revival style. The natural copper roof oxidized to green over time so that it would be prominent in the Florentine skyline. The Bimah and Ner Tamid are so beautiful. During World War II, the religious artifacts were hidden in the walls to protect them. Later, Nazis soldiers used the synagogue as a storehouse. In August 1944, retreating German troops tried to destroy the synagogue with explosives, but Italian resistance fighters were able to defuse most of the explosives limiting the damage. it was subsequently restored. Our tour with Giovanna Bossi Rosenfeld, a licensed Tour Guide specialized in Jewish Tours of Florence, was so insightful. I first met Giovanna 13 years ago when she gave three generations of my family an incredible private tour of Florence. As an architect specializing in ancient building restoration, she has such a wealth of knowledge and passion for art, history, Jewish life and culture. Her book on the synagogue is fascinating. Thank you for the signed copy which is available at the bookstore and gift shop. Note: Due to high security, you have to go through a metal detector. No bags are allowed, but cell phones are allowed. Shoulders and knees must be covered. Check the hours. It is closed on Shabbat. read more

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Very beautiful and well worth the visit. There is also a small gift shop with lovely gifts.

I love to visit synagogues in every country. This one was spectacular. The tour guides are lovely and extremely knowledgeable. The tour itself brought me to tears. They had a great representation of the history of Italian Jews. As John F said, no pics are allowed on the inside and the synagogue is very protected. read more

Sinagoga di Firenze e Museo ebraico - Synagogues Near Me - Florence, FI

The Jews in most of Italy were not really liberated until the 1840's or so. As a result there was no opportunity to build impressive synagogues until the mid nineteenth century. This one dates from about 1878 and has a dome to rival most of the renaissance churches in the city. The interior is in the popular Moorish Revival style used for synagogues and some private houses in the late Victorian period all over the world. (It reminded me a lot of Frederick Church's home, Olana, in Hudson, New York!) It is richly coloured and very intricate. Guides are congregation members and extremely knowledgeable about local Jewish history, which dates back to the middle ages. Despite the destruction of most of the Jewish community in Italy during the holocaust, this synagogue still operates regularly. There is also a nice collection of local Judaica, some very old, in the museum on the upper floors. No pictures and you must go through a metal detector. They have had several terrorist threats to which, according to our guide, the Italian police have been purposely negligent. read more

I don't know how you guys snuck in photos (I'm talking to you Italian Yelpers!!). I had to store my purse with my phone in the locker. When I was done in the museum and picked up my bag, they also told me no photos even in the garden!! It was imo too much to go inside. 5 Euros for students under 25 (I'm over 25 and not a student anymore but they didn't ask for an ID which I do still keep on me). I understand though that due to all the security they need, this probably (I'm assuming anyway) is going to assist in that, The museum is tiny. I don't even know if I would consider it a museum. They have old Jewish relics such as a collection of pointers, ketubahs, etc. The "movie" inside is completely in Italian. Most of the descriptions are also in Italian. I'm Jewish so I feel obligated to do some Jewish stuff when I travel. If you aren't Jewish or not into architecture, I would just skip this. It's covered by the Florence Card which I don't think most people get because IMO it's not good value unless you hit up several museums in a day. The synagogue itself is gorgeous and probably one of the prettiest synagogues that I have ever seen Earth tones, stained glass, Moorish style, and a nice break from Jesus, crosses, and saints. The garden is understated but peaceful. I was here maybe 45-60 minutes including going to the bathroom, buying a ticket, and going to/from the lockers. During the week (I went on a Thursday) they are open are until 5:30 in low season (I went in March). A website I went to said it closes at 3. I left at 3:15 when people were still coming in. Official website here http://www.jewishtuscany.it/orari-di-apertura/. It is open on Fridays with short hours. TIP- If you are going to visit the synagogue in Siena and I believe the one in Venice, save your stub because they give you reduced admission. read more

A historical site. The synagogue was rebuilt after it was wrecked and nearly destroyed by the Nazis at the end of World War II. But with all the security issues it's a real pain to get in even for the tour. Sad it's so unattainable. read more