Synagogue of Siena

The Synagogue of Siena, located in the heart of the Jewish quarter of the Tuscan city, is one of the treasures of the Italian Jewish community. Renovated and opened to the public in the 1990s, it features a mixed architectural style, with Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau elements, as well as monumental decoration based on Jewish and biblical motifs. With its special beauty and historical importance, the synagogue is a must-see destination for tourists and lovers of history and culture. Let’s see some useful information and some of its history together.

Siena Synagogue: historical and cultural heritage

The synagogue of Siena is located in Vicolo delle Scotte, inside the former ghetto, and is one of the most historically and artistically significant buildings in the Tuscan city. The simple and unadorned brick exterior contrasts with the richly-decorated interior, both elements typical of synagogues prior to the Emancipation.

Its construction dates back to the XVII century, when Siena’s Jewish community was expanding across the city. Designed by architect Giuseppe Del Rosso in 1786, the synagogue had a style somewhere between Rococo and Neoclassical.

Over the years, the structure underwent various modifications, including the creation of the women’s gallery in 1804 and the addition of new decorative elements, such as the Stars of David, painted on the ceiling vault in 1870. During the course of World War II, the Synagogue was damaged by bombing and later restored, but its artistic and historical value remained intact. 

Today, the synagogue in Siena is an important place of worship for the Jewish community and, at the same time, a major tourist attraction for the city. The building not only houses antique silverware and ritual vestments, but also offers the opportunity to visit the impressive former women’s gallery, currently used for temporary exhibitions and educational activities. 

Siena Synagogue: useful information

Visits to the building are only permitted on certain days of the week and only by guided tours, which can be booked in advance at https://www.jewishsiena.it/ or https://operalaboratori.vivaticket.it/it/event/sinagoga-e-museo-ebraico-di-siena/161108. The synagogue is open all year round  and provides a unique opportunity to learn about the history and culture of the Jewish community, to admire the frescoes painted in the 18th century and to discover how the building was also a place for meeting, prayer and study. A visit to the synagogue in Siena is an unmissable cultural experience for anyone visiting the city and wishing to learn something of the history and traditions of the Jewish community.