Jewish History in Florence

The Jewish community of Florence is first mentioned as being situated near Ponte Vecchio in the 14th century. Back then, Florence had its own synagogue.

In the days of Lorenzo the Magnificent, Florentine Jews had liberty, rights, and privileges. This ended in the 1570s when they were forced to live in the Ghetto built for them near today’s Piazza della Repubblica. After the demolition of the Ghetto in the 19th century, a new Synagogue in Moorish style was erected inspired by Constantinople’s Byzantine church of Hagia Sophia. Today it houses an interesting museum.

Length of tour: approximately 3 hours.