Synagogue and Jewish Museum
Synagogue and Jewish Museum
art site
Via Luigi Carlo Farini, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italia
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Following the nineteenth century “urban renewal” program that swept away the historic center of Florence – and demolished the Ghetto and two old synagogues – construction began in 1874 on the new synagogue near Piazza d’Azeglio (another ninetieth century innovation in the city). The building was designed by the architect Marco Treves. The travertine clad synagogue is dominated by a large copper dome which over the years has turned green to become a distinctive feature of the city’s panorama. The interior, entirely decorated with arabesques that were once gilded, is divided into three aisles (the central one is topped by a barrel vault). Granite columns with elaborate capitals support the women’s gallery. The podium with high-backed chairs for the officiants is in the presbytery as is the Ark decorated with Venetian glass mosaics. The adjacent museum is divided into two sections. One is documentary and reconstructs the history of the Jews in Florence (and there are two models, one of the Temple and one of the Ghetto). The other section features interesting ceremonial objects from various periods.
art site
Via Luigi Carlo Farini, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italia
Show on map
Following the nineteenth century “urban renewal” program that swept away the historic center of Florence – and demolished the Ghetto and two old synagogues – construction began in 1874 on the new synagogue near Piazza d’Azeglio (another ninetieth century innovation in the city). The building was designed by the architect Marco Treves. The travertine clad synagogue is dominated by a large copper dome which over the years has turned green to become a distinctive feature of the city’s panorama. The interior, entirely decorated with arabesques that were once gilded, is divided into three aisles (the central one is topped by a barrel vault). Granite columns with elaborate capitals support the women’s gallery. The podium with high-backed chairs for the officiants is in the presbytery as is the Ark decorated with Venetian glass mosaics. The adjacent museum is divided into two sections. One is documentary and reconstructs the history of the Jews in Florence (and there are two models, one of the Temple and one of the Ghetto). The other section features interesting ceremonial objects from various periods.