The Great Synagogue of Rome (Italian: Tempio Maggiore di Roma) is an Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue located on Lungotevere de’ Cenci, in Rome, Lazio, Italy. Designed by architects Vincenzo Costa and Osvaldo Armanni, it showcases an eclectic blend of Historicism and Art Nouveau styles. Completed in 1904, it stands as the largest synagogue in Rome and houses the Jewish Museum of Rome.
Historical Background
Rome’s Jewish community traces its origins to the 2nd century B.C., when the Roman Republic formed a loose alliance with Judea under Judah Maccabeus. During this period, many Jews migrated from Judea to Rome. Their population grew steadily over the centuries, bolstered by Mediterranean trade and later by forced migration—many Jews were brought to Rome as slaves following the Jewish–Roman wars between 63 and 135 CE.
The current Tempio Maggiore di Roma was built shortly after Italy’s unification in 1870, when the Kingdom of Italy annexed Rome and dissolved the Papal States. With the demolition of the Roman Ghetto and the granting of citizenship to Jews, the community sought to replace the old ghetto synagogue—a complex structure that housed five scolas (Italian-Jewish term for synagogues)—with a grand new building.
Commemoration and Interfaith Milestones
Commemorative plaques have been installed to honor Jewish victims of Nazi persecution and the 1982 attack by the Abu Nidal Organization.
A landmark moment occurred on 13 April 1986, when Pope John Paul II made a historic visit to the synagogue—the first known papal visit to a synagogue since the early days of the Roman Catholic Church. He prayed alongside Rabbi Elio Toaff, then Chief Rabbi of Rome. Subsequent visits included Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, hosted by Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni, and Pope Francis on 17 January 2016.
Cultural Significance
The synagogue celebrated its centenary in 2004. Beyond its role as a place of worship, it serves as a cultural and organizational hub for la Comunità Ebraica di Roma (the Hebrew community of Rome). It houses the offices of the Chief Rabbi of Rome and the Jewish Museum of Rome.
On 17 January 2005, thirteen cantors, in collaboration with the Jewish Ministers Cantors Association of America (Chazzanim Farband), performed the first cantorial concert in the synagogue’s history.
During his 2016 visit, Pope Francis condemned violence committed in the name of religion and expressed solidarity with the Jewish diaspora as a gesture of interfaith friendship. Echoing the words of Pope John Paul II, he referred to Jews as the “elder brothers” of Christians and added the phrase “elder sisters” to include Christian women in this spiritual kinship.