Rome Jewish Quarter Map

Explore the historic Jewish Ghetto, one of Rome's oldest and most fascinating neighborhoods

Explore Rome's Jewish Quarter

The Rome Jewish Quarter, historically known as the Ghetto, is a small but remarkably rich neighborhood on the banks of the Tiber River near the Theatre of Marcellus. Home to one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world — dating back to the 2nd century BC — this area is a living testament to resilience, culture, and tradition. Our Jewish Quarter map guides you through its ancient streets, historic landmarks, and celebrated restaurants serving traditional Roman-Jewish cuisine.

Jewish Quarter Points of Interest

Great Synagogue of Rome (Tempio Maggiore)

The Great Synagogue of Rome is one of the most striking buildings in the city, instantly recognizable by its large square aluminum dome that shines in the Roman sunlight. Built between 1901 and 1904 in an eclectic Assyrian-Babylonian style after the demolition of the old ghetto, the synagogue serves as the spiritual center of Rome's Jewish community. The interior features stunning Art Nouveau decorations, rainbow-colored mosaics, and impressive stained glass windows. The building also witnessed a tragic terrorist attack in 1982 and stands today as both a place of worship and a symbol of perseverance.

Coordinates: 41.8912, 12.4782

Portico d'Ottavia

The Portico d'Ottavia is a stunning set of ancient Roman ruins that serve as the monumental gateway to the Jewish Quarter. Originally built by Augustus in 27 BC and dedicated to his sister Octavia, this grand portico once enclosed a vast area containing two temples, a library, and meeting halls. The surviving columns and pediment have been incorporated into the medieval Church of Sant'Angelo in Pescheria, which was built directly into the ruins. For centuries, a fish market operated in the portico's arches, and it remains the neighborhood's most recognizable landmark.

Coordinates: 41.8918, 12.4789

Theatre of Marcellus (Teatro di Marcello)

One of Rome's most impressive yet overlooked ancient monuments, the Theatre of Marcellus was begun by Julius Caesar and completed by Emperor Augustus in 13 BC, who named it after his nephew Marcellus. Originally seating up to 20,000 spectators, it was the largest and most important open-air theatre in ancient Rome. The surviving arched facade inspired the design of the Colosseum, built a century later. In the Middle Ages, the upper levels were converted into a fortified palace by the Savelli family, later inherited by the Orsini. The building remains partly residential to this day.

Coordinates: 41.8918, 12.4799

Turtle Fountain (Fontana delle Tartarughe)

One of Rome's most charming and beloved small fountains, the Fontana delle Tartarughe was designed by Giacomo della Porta and sculpted by Taddeo Landini between 1580 and 1588. The fountain features four bronze youths, each balancing on a dolphin and reaching up to push a turtle into the upper basin. The turtles were likely added later, possibly by Bernini, in a 1658 restoration. Located in the quiet Piazza Mattei, the fountain is a masterpiece of Late Renaissance sculpture and a favorite photo spot. Legend says Duke Mattei had it built overnight to impress his future father-in-law.

Coordinates: 41.8935, 12.4768

Via del Portico d'Ottavia

The main street of the Jewish Quarter, Via del Portico d'Ottavia is a charming cobblestone lane lined with restaurants, bakeries, and small shops. This street has been the heart of Roman Jewish life for centuries and is the best place to experience the neighborhood's unique character. Brass Stolpersteine (stumbling stones) embedded in the pavement commemorate Jewish residents deported during the Nazi occupation on October 16, 1943, when over 1,000 Roman Jews were rounded up and sent to Auschwitz. The street bustles with life day and night, especially during the dinner hours.

Coordinates: 41.8920, 12.4785

Jewish Museum of Rome (Museo Ebraico di Roma)

Located in the basement level of the Great Synagogue, the Jewish Museum of Rome documents the 2,200-year history of Rome's Jewish community through a rich collection of textiles, silver ceremonial objects, marble carvings, and historical documents. The museum traces the community's journey from its origins as the oldest Jewish settlement in Western Europe through the centuries of ghetto confinement (1555-1870) to the horrors of the Holocaust and the vibrant community that exists today. A combined ticket includes a guided tour of the synagogue above.

Coordinates: 41.8912, 12.4783

History of Rome's Jewish Community

The Oldest Jewish Community in Europe

Rome's Jewish community is the oldest in Western Europe, with an unbroken presence dating back to at least the 2nd century BC. Jewish ambassadors from Judea first arrived in Rome in 161 BC to negotiate a treaty with the Roman Senate. By the 1st century AD, the community had grown to an estimated 40,000-50,000 members, making it one of the largest Jewish populations in the ancient world. Jews in ancient Rome lived primarily in Trastevere and were generally free to practice their religion.

The Ghetto Era (1555-1870)

In 1555, Pope Paul IV issued the papal bull Cum nimis absurdum, which established the Roman Ghetto — a walled enclosure of just three hectares where all Jews were forced to live. The gates were locked at night, Jews were required to wear identifying badges, and severe restrictions were placed on their professions and property ownership. Despite these harsh conditions, the community maintained its traditions, developed a unique Roman-Jewish dialect, and created a distinctive cuisine born of necessity and creativity. The ghetto walls finally came down in 1870 when Rome became the capital of unified Italy.

World War II and the October Roundup

On October 16, 1943, Nazi SS forces conducted a devastating raid on the Jewish Quarter, rounding up 1,024 men, women, and children. They were transported to Auschwitz, where only 16 survived. This tragic event is commemorated each year, and the Stolpersteine (brass memorial stones) in the pavement mark the homes of those who were taken. Despite the horror, many Roman Jews survived thanks to the courage of ordinary Romans who hid them in homes, convents, and churches throughout the city.

Traditional Roman-Jewish Cuisine

Must-Try Dishes

The Jewish Quarter is famous for its unique Roman-Jewish culinary tradition, developed over centuries of blending Jewish dietary laws with Roman ingredients:

Best Restaurants

The Jewish Quarter is packed with excellent restaurants, many family-run for generations:

Practical Information

Getting to the Jewish Quarter

Visiting Tips