Founded in 650 BCE, Ostia Antica owes its existence to the proximity of the Tiber River and the sea. It served a military function to become, as a river port, the main mercantile emporium of the capital.The oldest Jewish place of worship in Western Europe, the Synagogue, was discovered in 1961 at the edge of the town, near the ancient coastline. The building represents one of the oldest archaeological testimonies of the Diaspora and many of its typological features can be compared to other synagogues of antiquity.
Ostia
Antica
Synagogue
Plan to spend some hours with us in one of the most beautiful and famous archeological sites in the world and a further eloquent testimony of the presence of the Jews in Rome within the multi-ethnic and multi-religious context of the city.
The Ostia Antica Synagogue was identified as a synagogue on the basis of its monumental size and the presence of Jewish artwork including a relief with a menorah, several lamps with this same motif, and an inscription which makes reference to an ark. The site also preserves some of the most interesting elements to discover the Roman civilization, the urban planning of cities with thermal baths, and how they evolved over time.
Places
- Ostia Antica Synagogue
Meeting point: subway station Piramide (Blue line, connection with Termini Metro Station)
Duration of the tour: 4 hours
Participants: min.1; max. 10
Travel tips:
- Check the forecast, there is outdoor walking so bring umbrella in case of rain.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
