Jewish Siracusa

The Jewish Heritage of an ancient Greek Roman Town

Discover one of the main European Jewish sites: Syracuse offers the possibility to visit one of the few Jewish baths still existing. The arrival of groups of Jews to Syracuse is difficult to date since there is very little direct evidence since they lack paper documents and inscriptions. Much of the history of Syracuse lacks the necessary supports to be able to describe in detail since natural disasters, invasions and neglect have also deleted the archives, collections and exhibits. After the expulsion of 1492, the traces of their stay were erased, almost fiercely, especially by the religious and the Holy Inquisition. It is also an attempt to darkening of the civil and religious buildings: the synagogue is transformed into the church of St. Philip the Apostle and well Giovanello occupies the place of Jewish worship.