Discover the Jewish Ghetto of Rome on a Small Group Walking Tour

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Foro di Traiano

We will begin at Trajan's columb and make our way through Piazza Venezia before walking up the gently sloping steps to Piazza del Campidoglio to see the marvelous design of the square that was all imagined by the great Michelangelo, and now home to the famous Capitoline Museums.

Teatro di Marcello

From here we walk to the Theater of Marcellus, often jokingly referred to as the little Colosseum. Though architecturally similar to the Colosseum, the Theatre of Marcellus is slightly older, dating all the way back to 12BC and it did not house any of the blood sports, and now is home to a few lucky residents who live in the apartments above the theater.

Fontana Delle Tartarughe

On our walk we will see the many restaurants in the neighborhood and stop for a taste of traditional Kosher gelato. Then we will have a short walk to the magnificent Fontana delle Tartarughe (The Turtle Fountain), a true masterpiece of the late Italian Renaissance, where you will discover how it was famously constructed in just one day.

Tempio Maggiore di Roma

Constructed in 1555, this is the oldest Jewish Ghetto. The pope revoked all rights granted to the Roman Jews, and barred them from all types of trade and the ability to own real estate. In spite of this, the Jewish community thrived inside developing business trade, a unique and wonderful cuisine inside their walls and even their own dialect of Italian. The Great Synagogue, still the third largest in Europe, functions today as a place of prayer and a vital cultural reference point for the entire Jewish community of Rome.

Il Portico Di Ottavia

From here it is a very short walk to the Porticus Octaviae, an enormous structure built by the emperor Augustus in honor of his sister Octavia. From the 15th to early 20th century it was the home to Rome’s fish market. It is from here that we enter the Ghetto itself.

Isola Tiberina

Concluding at Tiber Island where past and present slip seamlessly into one, the island was used by the ancient Romans as a hospital with the river helping them as a natural barrier aiding to stop the spread of disease, and one of Rome’s best hospitals can still be found on that site today. Giving a beautiful view of the river, the island is conveniently placed between the Ghetto and the local neighborhood of Trastevere and is well connected to get back to any part of the city.