Discover the synagogue of Siena, heritage of the city
Posted on 15. Jul, 2011 by admin in Archive, Culture, Itineraries
In Siena the places to see are easily reachable from the center, sometimes located in alleys or historical squares but often not recommended among the remarkable venues. The city offers a lot to tourists and also to citizens that want to know better Siena. Now it’s time to discover the synagogue, built in 1786 by the architect Giuseppe del Rosso and situated at vicolo delle Scotte, a few steps from piazza del Campo, a rare sample of a style mix, between rococo and neoclassical.
We suggest this place of prayer, essential evidence of the Jewish cultural presence in this area, because now has new opening hours and, on 4th September 2011, will be the European Day of Jewish Culture, an event with Siena as protagonist.
The impact is unusual because the external facade is simple and without friezes, on the contrary the interior of synagogue are decored majestically: here, in the center of the hall, ther is a podium with nine ten-branched candelabrum, on the floor behind the podium there are the windows in neoclassical style, disposed on three arches. On the ceiling, the white and blue putty make the Tables of the Law.
Inside the synagogue there are also items like rare fabrics and precious silver from the bottega dei Guadagni in Florence, and above all the Chair of Elia, which has the verses inlaid on the chair back that remind to circumcision. The guided tours are requested by many people, so if you plan an holiday in Siena dont’ miss the occasion for a visit of synagogue: thanks to a course by texts, images and documents you will know the most important aspects of the Jewish presence in the city.
Soon will be open a museum with antique religious furnitures, inside the synagogue, for a more detailed visit. The new opening hours are: every Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and from Monday to Thursday, from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. The ticket costs 4 €, for information and reservations call the 055 2346654 or write an e-mail to itinerariebraici@cscsigma.it.
Outside are to mention two commemorative plaques, one dedicated to the 14 Senese Jews deported during Holocaust, the second is for the bicentennial of the stake where were burned 13 Senese Jews. Two dates that are a warning for the future, so that these tragedies don’t happen anymore, in any part of the world.
Miriam Van Dam
Jul 19th, 2011
Hello, we will be visiting Siena on august 4 and also interested on visiting the Synagogue, we are a family of five.