The Sinagoga di Trieste is one of the largest and most imposing in Europe, a symbol of the Jewish presence in the city and a testimony to its multicultural openness. Located in via San Francesco d’Assisi, it was inaugurated in 1912 and still represents today the heart of the religious and cultural life of the triestina Jewish community.
The origins of the Jewish community in Trieste
The Jewish presence in Trieste is documented since 1300, but it is from the eighteenth century that the community grows significantly, thanks to the policies of tolerance and economic development promoted by the Asburgo.
- In 1746, the Jews were granted the right to reside freely in the city, favoring the arrival of families from all over central and eastern Europe.
- In the course of the nineteenth century, the triestina Jewish community becomes one of the most dynamic and influential of the Impero austro-ungarico, contributing to the development of the port, finance, publishing, and city culture.
From the historical synagogues to the great temple
Until the beginning of the twentieth century, the community had four minor synagogues (the so-called “scole”) located in the Jewish ghetto, between via del Monte and via delle Beccherie. With the demographic growth and the desire to affirm its own identity, it was decided to build a new monumental temple, capable of accommodating all the faithful and representing the centrality of the community in city life.
The construction of the Sinagoga
The project was entrusted to the architects Ruggero and Arduino Berlam, who chose an eclectic style inspired by Assyro-Babylonian and Romanesque art, with oriental references.
- The works began in 1908 and were completed in 1912.
- The building is distinguished by the large stone facade, marked by four corner towers and a wide central rose window.
- The interior, with a basilican plan, is dominated by the large central dome and rich decorations in mosaic, stucco, and colored stained glass.
- The Aron haQodesh (sacred cabinet) is made of marble and surmounted by a golden cupola, while the matroneo runs along three sides of the nave.
The Sinagoga during the twentieth century
The Sinagoga di Trieste experienced dramatic moments during the Seconda Guerra Mondiale:
- In 1942 it was closed by the Nazis and used as a depot, while many members of the community were deported and killed in the extermination camps.
- After the war, the temple was reopened and restored, returning to be the center of the city’s Jewish religious life.
Today the Sinagoga is also the venue for cultural events, concerts, and guided tours, and represents an important place of memory of the Shoah, thanks also to the proximity of the Risiera di San Sabba, the only Nazi lager in Italy.
Significance and current relevance
The Sinagoga di Trieste is considered one of the largest in Europe (it can accommodate about 2,000 people) and one of the most beautiful for its architectural and decorative richness.
- It is a symbol of the city’s Jewish history, of tolerance and coexistence among different cultures that have characterized Trieste over the centuries.
- Today the triestina Jewish community, although reduced in numbers compared to the past, continues to be active in the religious, cultural, and social life of the city.
The Sinagoga di Trieste thus remains a monument of great historical, artistic, and symbolic value, testimony to the vitality and resilience of the Jewish community and the cosmopolitan vocation of the city.