Rome is one of Europe’s great cities. Home to the Vatican, and former capital of the Roman Empire, the city is a living treasure trove of art, architecture, culture and cuisine. Rome also has a fascinating 2,000 year old Jewish history and a Jewish tour of Rome brings its past to life.
As you explore the neighborhood where the 16th century Jewish Ghetto (Ghetto Ebraico) once stood, your private guide will give you unique insights into its history and the human stories behind it. You can also experience the architectural beauty of the Great Synagogue of Rome (Tempio Maggiore), before you break to sample some of Rome’s best traditional Jewish cuisine or browse the city’s luxury department stores.
A trip to Rome is a once in a lifetime experience that will broaden your cultural horizons and connect you to a compelling Jewish story that goes back to the time of the Caesars!
Exploring Rome’s Historic Jewish Quarters
By the 2nd century BCE Rome was already a cosmopolitan and international city. It’s known that Jewish diplomats and traders found their way to Rome and established small communities. The first extant record of Jews in Rome dates to 161 BCE. Jews remained part of the complex Roman metropolis and their numbers grew as the Empire developed.
Julius Caesar and Augustus were believed to have a relatively tolerant attitude towards Jews, while other emperors were less benevolent. The Jewish-Roman War (66–73 CE) and the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem strained relations. Many Jewish slaves were forcibly brought to Rome as a result of the war.
Some interesting Jewish historic sites in Rome from this period are the Catacombs. Although they are best known as Christian burial sites, there are six Jewish catacombs that offer important insights into Jewish culture and burial practices during the Roman Empire. Guided Jewish tours in Rome can include visits to the Vigna Randanini and Villa Torlonia catacombs and a chance to see Romano-Jewish symbols and inscriptions.
Trastevere and the Ghetto
During the Middle Ages, Jews in Rome lived precariously under the control of the Papal States. The popes imposed various restrictions on Jews, and confined them to the “Roman Ghetto’ (Jewish Ghetto, Ghetto Ebraico). The ghetto was established in 1555 by Pope Paul IV – who even billed the city’s 2,000 Jews for the creation of the ghetto wall. The ghetto was only officially abolished in 1870 with the demise of the Papal States.
Life in the ghetto was cramped, claustrophobic, oppressive and poverty stricken, but Jewish culture and religion endured. Three centuries of enforced isolation produced a unique Jewish-Italian dialect Giudeo-romanesco that contains many traces of 16th century language and Hebrew words.
The Great Synagogue of Rome
Today, there is a surviving segment of the old ghetto wall in a courtyard next to the charming Piazza delle Cinque Scole quarter. It’s a lovely neighbourhood to explore on foot, and a great place to try traditional Romano-Jewish cuisine. The area is also home to the splendid Great Synagogue of Rome, one of the highpoints of a Jewish tour of Rome.
The Great Synagogue of Rome (Tempio Maggiore) is a striking building designed in mixture of Historicism and Art Nouveau and completed in 1904. The synagogue is home to an orthodox congregation and houses the offices of the Chief Rabbi of Rome. It also contains the Jewish Museum of Rome. A private Jewish tour of Rome can include a special guided tour of both the Great Synagogue and the museum – including a closer look at its religious and historical artifacts and documents – and detailed lectures about Rome’s 2,000 year Jewish history.
Culinary Delights of the Jewish Community
If you’re a fan of Italian food, you’re in for a special treat when you explore traditional Jewish cuisine in Rome’s kosher eateries. The wonderful culinary heritage goes back to the middle ages – and probably further back in history – and combines mouthwatering Jewish cooking with local ingredients and Italian and Mediterranean styles. One of the most famous Jewish dishes that you can sample in Rome is fried artichokes (carciofi alla giudia). The whole artichokes are typically flattened and seasoned before being deep fired. They’re a popular street food, as well as a Passover dish.
Meatballs are a staple of Italian cooking and Italian Jews perfected their own kosher version known as keftes or kefta which are made from beef or lamb. The meatballs are seasoned with spices and herbs, or even dried fruit and are one of those basic dishes that incorporates whatever ingredients are available. They can be served as a main meal, a side dish, or to give extra substance to a soup or stew.
You can also try out pizza ebraica or Jewish pizza, but don’t expect New York style custom pie with a choice of extra toppings. Jewish Italian pizza is a sweet cake made of unleavened bread and stuffed with dried fruits, nuts, and spices. It’s a seriously tasty dessert that’s usually served on holidays and special occasions. Another tempting treat is sfogliatella ebraica, a Jewish version of the classic Italian pastry. It’s filled with sweetened ricotta cheese and candied citrus peel and originated with Southern Italy’s Jewish communities.
If you’re a dedicated foodie, Gil Travel can arrange customized gourmet food tours and visits to local food markets and delis, or even a trip to one of Rome’s specialist seafood markets (baked fish is a popular Shabbat and holiday dish). Sign up for hands-on cooking classes with a focus on authentic Jewish-Italian culinary traditions and learn how to prepare traditional Jewish Roman dishes – perhaps including some home cooking secrets and old family recipes!
Engaging Activities and Experiences
Italy is a friendly and welcoming country and the local Jewish communities are hospitable to US Jewish tourists. If you want to engage with Italian Jews and build links with local communities, Gil Travel will be happy to arrange meetings and guided visits to Jewish cultural and heritage sites. When you plan your trip to Rome, Gil Travel will suggest an itinerary that matches your personal interests in Jewish art, music, and local traditions.
Rome is an amazing city with a fascinating non-Jewish culture and you can tailor your trip to take in a wealth of other historical sites and museums. The spectacular beauty of the Sistine Chapel will stay with you forever, while the Colosseum and Pantheon offer a powerful glimpse of the splendour of Ancient Rome. If you’re interested in architecture, Gil Travel will arrange a custom itinerary that takes you to the most impressive examples of Renaissance and Baroque architecture and stunning piazzas.
If you’re traveling with teens or young kids, you can create a program that balances cultural and educational opportunities with fun activities that allow kids to burn off some energy. The Villa Borghese and gardens is a great place for a family day with playgrounds and parks, bike rentals and rowing boats. Rome is also famous for its ice cream (gelato). Your guide will be able to recommend the best kosher ice cream in the city.
Practical Tips for Your Jewish Joyride in Rome
Rome is a beautiful city and everybody who has lived there has their own favorite season. The weather is at its best in the spring or autumn, particularly if you are planning to enjoy guided walking tours of the city’s historical Jewish sites. If you want to beat the crowds, consider a winter trip. A rare snowfall on the Palatine Hill is a sight you’ll never forget. A modern Roman Christmas can be a special experience too – even for American Jews. The emphasis these days is less on religion and more on Christmas markets and Christmas lights, festive trips to the city’s ice skating rinks and concerts – and of course – an abundance of wonderful Italian food and drink.
Rome has been known as the Eternal City since the time of the Empire. The idea that Rome would last forever may have started out as imperial Roman hubris, but the city has definitely endured and has preserved its cultural treasures. It’s a place that everybody who loves culture should visit at least once during their lifetime. Aside from the wonderful historical artifacts, art galleries, museums and architecture, and modern cinema and theatre, there is a deep and important Jewish history to explore.
A tour of historic Jewish sites in Rome includes the best of Jewish Italian food, with everything from tasty street snacks to gourmet kosher dinners with amazing meat and fish dishes. Gil Travel will recommend a choice of kosher and Shabbat friendly luxury hotels, including boutique hotels or even luxury self-catering accommodation. There will also be plenty of opportunities to meet the local Jewish community and to attend religious services. If you have Jewish Italian ancestors, your tour can include guided visits to places with a family connection. A tour of Jewish Rome is as much about people and human connections as it is about experiencing centuries of history and heritage.
Talk to Gil Travel today about a customized luxury tour of Rome, either for a small family group, or for your synagogue, book club or other social group. We’ll help you to create the perfect itinerary!
