Synagogue of Sabbioneta

Synagogue of Sabbioneta
Sinagoga di Sabbioneta
Exterior view from the Northwest corner
Religion
AffiliationJudaism
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusInactive
Year consecrated1821
Location
LocationVia Bernardino Campi 1, Sabbioneta, Italy
Interactive map of Synagogue of Sabbioneta
Coordinates44°59′57″N 10°29′28″E / 44.99917°N 10.49111°E / 44.99917; 10.49111
Architecture
ArchitectCarlo Visioli
StyleNeoclassical
Completed1824

The Synagogue of Sabbioneta (Italian: Sinagoga di Sabbioneta) is a Jewish synagogue located in Sabbioneta, Italy. It is no longer active and serves as a museum.

History

A project to build the synagogue began in 1821 by the town's Jewish community to mark autonomy from the one in Mantua. Sabbioneta did not have a Jewish ghetto, and therefore had no set obligtion to build in a certain area of the city. It was decided to build within the wing of a 16th-century building rented out by its owner, Salomone Forti,[1] at the location of a former oratory.[2] The project was headed by Carlo Visoli, architect of the Synagogue of Viadana.[3] Construction was completed in 1824.[4]

In the 20th century, the synagogue experienced a long period of abandonment. The hall became dilapidated and the interior became unsafe.[5] Some of the original furnishings were transferred to Modena, and others to Israel. The ark from the 16-century, which was located in the congregation's previous synagogue, has been in the Strauss House near the Western Wall since 1970.[6]

In 1994, recognizing the need for repairs, the building began a period of restoration[6] by the superintendant of Cultural and Architectural Heritage of Brescia, funded by grassroots organizations in Sabbioneta.[7] The synagogue has been restored to its original condition and has become, in part, a museum for visitors. It is co-managed by the Jewish community of Mantua and an organization in Sabbioneta. It was further damaged in the 2012 Northern Italy earthquakes, and was subsequently repaired.[8] It currently is a museum.

Description

The synagogue entrance is located on the ground floor under a portico with marble columns. An atrium leads to a marble staircase to the second floor, which contains the shul.[9] Taking a ramp further past the staircase leads to the floor hosting the womens' section.

The interior, built in the Neoclassical style, is rectangular and reaches two stories.[10] It is paved with stucco on its coffered vault, added in 1840 by Swiss artist Pietro Bolla.[6] The walls are paved with similar stucco, in addition to faux marble adornments. The Torah ark is located between two Corinthian capped columns, surmounted by a tympanum with a gilded Hebrew inscription. It is encircled by a wrought iron gate.

Opposite to the ark, an identical set of columns holds up the womens' section, enclosed by a wooden gate. The shul contains original benches from the 19th-century.[11]

  • Interior of the synagogue, facing the Torah ark
  • Pillars holding up the womens' gallery
  • Neoclassical ornamentation on the ceiling
  • Staircase leading to the second floor
  • Historical information exhibition located in the vestibule

See also

References

  1. ^ "Sinagoga di Sabbioneta". OGLIOPO (in Italian). Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  2. ^ Nuovo convegno (Organization: Milan, Italy) (1997). Identità: dieci anni di attività del Nuovo convegno per la cultura ebraica a Milano (in Italian). Giuntina. ISBN 978-88-8057-045-5.
  3. ^ Sacerdoti, Annie (2004). The Guide to Jewish Italy. Marsilio. p. 62. ISBN 978-88-317-8471-9.
  4. ^ Gozzi, Alberto; Medici, Antonio (1993). Città dei Gonzaga: Sabbioneta, Guastalla, Gualtieri, Pomponesco (in Italian). CittàStudi. p. 34. ISBN 978-88-251-0066-2.
  5. ^ Gruber, Ruth Ellen (2002-01-15). Virtually Jewish: Reinventing Jewish Culture in Europe. University of California Press. p. 84. ISBN 978-0-520-21363-0.
  6. ^ a b c "SINAGOGA". Abbonamento Musei (in Italian). Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  7. ^ "Jewish Sabbioneta and synagogue". Visit Sabbioneta. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  8. ^ "Future for Religious Heritage". Future for Religious Heritage. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  9. ^ Civiltà mantovana (in Italian). Civiltà Mantovana. 2000. p. 49.
  10. ^ "Synagogue of Sabbioneta". My Jewish Italy. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  11. ^ Sacerdoti, Annie (1999). Italy: Jewish Travel Guide. Israelowitz Publishing. p. 68. ISBN 978-1-878741-42-4.
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