Sinagoga e Museo ebraico di Siena

About the museum

In Siena the Jewish presence is linked to the former ghetto quarter, a short distance from Piazza del Campo. The ghetto was established in 1571 by Cosimo I de' Medici and remained in operation until 1859: it was a true city within the city, where the daily life of the community unfolded for centuries, culturally enlivened by the charitable confraternities and the rabbinical schools active until the 19th century. Much of the area was restructured in 1935, but the Tempio, the Fonte del Ghetto and the Jewish cemetery have survived.

The Synagogue, in vicolo delle Scotte, resulted from the enlargement and renewal of the original spaces by the Florentine architect Giuseppe del Rosso and was inaugurated in May 1786. The simple façade contrasts with the elegant and richly decorated interior, typical of synagogues built before Emancipation. The hall, neoclassical in taste with rococo elements, has benches along its sides and, at the centre, the podium of 1756 with nine ten-branched candelabra of the 18th century; the Holy Ark is decorated with marble columns with a curved pediment, and the ceiling bears the Tablets of the Law in stucco. The temple is still used today for religious services by the local community.

The Jewish museum occupies the former women's gallery (matroneo), on two floors, which overlooks the hall. It is no longer used for worship and houses a route of texts, images, prayer books and objects on the Jewish presence in Siena, which is seven centuries old. Among the most valuable pieces is the chair of the prophet Elijah, used for the circumcision ceremony, in carved and inlaid walnut, donated by the rabbi Nissim around 1860.

Highlights

• Synagogue of 1786 by Giuseppe del Rosso, still used for worship
• Neoclassical hall with rococo elements and Holy Ark with marble columns
• Jewish museum in the former women's gallery
• Chair of the prophet Elijah, in carved and inlaid wood
• Route on the former ghetto and on the Jewish history of Siena

Permanent exhibition

• Museo ebraico di Siena – Route of texts, images, prayer books and objects in the former women's gallery, on the seven-century-old Jewish presence in Siena, with the chair of the prophet Elijah.

Founded

1786

Operated by

Comunità Ebraica di Siena

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for accompanying teachers (two for every 15 students). Tickets can be bought online.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The synagogue is located in the former ghetto quarter, a short distance from Piazza del Campo.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum's website offers a small online shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit