Jewish Ghetto

Rome’s Jewish community dates back to the 2nd century BC, making it one of the oldest in Europe. At one point there were as many as 13 synagogues in the city but Titus’s defeat of Jewish rebels in Jerusalem in AD 70 changed the status of Rome’s Jews from citizen to slave. Confinement to the Ghetto came in 1555 when Pope Paul IV ushered in a period of official intolerance that lasted, on and off, until the 20th century. Ironically, though, confinement meant that Jewish cultural and religious identity survived intact.

Loose yourself along the little streets, look at the variety of little shops far from the industry. You will find the real artisan and the real and very good Roman cooking in the many restaurants around. But stop at the bakery to tate the delicious cakes of the Jewish tradition mixed with the Roman tradition

the famous jewish ghetto full of supergood restaurants. it is about 15 minutes walking, go to see the square with the fountain of turtlas and the ancient roman temple

A stroll through the Jewish Ghetto in Rome does not seem like it would be horrible now to be walled up and locked into this space, but today's ghetto looks nothing like the crowded, waterless community that imprisoned Rome's Jewish population for 315 years. From 1555 until 1870, what is now a popular destination for lunch and foodie tours, used to house a population with no running water, that was not allowed to leave after dark, and who were forced to attend Catholic sermons each week on the Jewish Sabbath. After the ghetto walls were torn down and some blue sky returned by leveling a lot of the crowded, unsafe and unsanitary buildings, the Jewish community that remained is now in one of the most chic parts of Rome. Centrally located, apartments now regularly sell at well over a million dollars each. Think Lower East Side, New York revitalization, Rome style. Nice walk.

Historically speaking, it deserves a visit. Near a Vestal Virgin historical spot. Best Jewish artichokes (flattened and fried) served near original gate to Roman wall in area.