Sinagoga e Museo Ebraico di Firenze

The Great Synagogue of Florence, inaugurated in 1882, is a major landmark of the Mattonaia district. Its green dome and striped stone façade crown a place of worship that also houses a Jewish museum documenting the history and ceremonial life of Florence's Jewish community.

Why it matters

The synagogue was built in response to David Levi's wish to provide Florence's Jewish community with a monumental temple. Its architecture combines Italian and Moorish Revival influences, reflecting the ambitions of a community asserting its place in the city after emancipation. The museum preserves ritual objects and materials connected with the history of Jewish life in Florence.

What to notice

Alternating bands of travertine and granite give the exterior its distinctive striped appearance. The large central dome rises above a quadrilateral prayer hall, with corner towers capped by smaller onion domes. Inside, painted and mosaic decoration covers the walls and dome. Museum displays include ceremonial silver, textiles and documents; an immersive presentation, Il racconto del Tempio, recounts the history of the synagogue, while another section traces the community's long presence in Florence.

Context and history

Construction began in 1874 to designs by Mariano Falcini, Vincenzo Micheli and Marco Treves. During the German occupation, the building was used as a storehouse. In August 1944, retreating troops planted explosives, but resistance fighters defused most of them and spared the synagogue serious damage. The 1966 flood caused further damage and required restoration. The synagogue remains an active centre of worship and a record of the community's resilience.