What is the history of the Pitigliano synagogue and what can you see there?

The synagogue of Pitigliano dated from 1598 and bears witness to the presence of a Jewish community settled in the village from the end of the 15th century, notably after fleeing persecution in the Papal States. The ghetto developed around it in the 17th century. Partially damaged by a collapse in the 1960s, the synagogue was restored in the 1990s.

Inside, look at the tevà, the reading platform placed in the centre, thearon wooden structure that houses the Torah scrolls, the Hebrew inscriptions and the women's gallery. The visit also includes the museum of Jewish culture and rooms carved into the tuff: the ritual bath, the unleavened bread oven, the kosher wine cellar and the old butcher's shop. This route, more telling than the prayer hall alone, helps you understand the community's daily life.

Allow about 30 to 45 minutes for the complex. At the rate indicated by the municipality, admission costs 6 € full price and 5 € at the reduced rate. Opening hours change with the season; the site is closed on Saturday. Check the hours before setting off, especially on public holidays, and allow a little extra time if you also want to wander through the alleys of the old Jewish quarter.