Jewish Heritage in Rome: Private Tour of the Ghetto & Trastevere

Rome may be known for its inextricable links to Catholicism, but it also has a long and fascinating history with the Jewish community. In fact, the Eternal City is home to the oldest continuous Jewish community in Europe, dating back to at least the 2nd century BCE. Roman Jews have their own dialect and culinary traditions, and they played an essential role in the city's economy, trade and medicine in the Medieval and Renaissance periods. There is evidence of early Jewish merchants operating in Trastevere, which was the city’s main port area at the time, and the community later became concentrated around a compact quarter on the other side of the Tiber, with the Jewish Ghetto being established in the 16th Century. The area remains an important hub to this day, with a wide range of Jewish shops and restaurants along with the Great Synagogue. Taking a guided walking tour with a local expert is a great way to peel back the layers of Jewish history in Rome and learn the stories that shaped the architecture, culture and cuisine past and present.

On this 3-hour walking tour, you will:

• Delve into the Jewish history of Rome with a local expert;
• Enjoy the personalized attention of your private guide who can tailor the tour to your interests;
• Explore the Jewish Ghetto, a vibrant district where Jewish people have resided for hundreds of years;
• Traverse the Via della Reginella, one of the last surviving streets from the original Ghetto; 
• Stop by the Fontana delle Tartarughe, one of Rome’s most famous fountains;
• Experience the Ghetto's unique mix of Jewish and Roman culture;
• Learn about the renowned Jewish food scene and stop by a café to taste a local delicacy;
• Visit the historic Piazza delle Cinque Scole and learn about the 5 synagogues that once stood there; 
• Pass by the Great Synagogue, the largest in Rome and admire its distinctive architecture;
• Cross over to Tiber Island and find out how it became a cultural and religious hub for Roman Jews;
• Uncover the traces of the first Jewish settlements in Trastevere;
• Discover how the area became a foodie hotspot and hear how centuries-old Jewish culinary traditions have influenced Roman cuisine.
  

Your tour will begin at a famous archaeological site in the heart of the historic centre, where you will get acquainted with your guide and make your way towards the area known as the Jewish Ghetto. This neighbourhood on the banks of the Tiber has been a crucial focal point of Jewish life since its establishment in 1555. As you walk along the Via della Reginella, one of the last surviving streets from the original ghetto, you will soon see how this once-restricted area has flourished into a lively cultural hub.

Your guide will lead you through other charming streets such as Via del Portico d’Ottavia, the main thoroughfare of the present-day Ghetto, where you’ll find Ancient Roman ruins interspersed with modern shops and businesses. Along the way, you’ll hear stories of Jewish residents across the centuries and their contributions to the area, as well as wider Roman society. You’ll admire the Fontana delle Tartarughe, an elegant 16th-century fountain with a mysterious past, and take a delectable detour to one of the Ghetto’s beloved bakeries or cafés to learn more about the distinct flavours of emblematic Jewish-Roman dishes and get the chance to sample one for yourself.

You’ll pay a visit to Piazza delle Cinque Scole, once home to five synagogues standing side by side—a testament to the diverse Jewish traditions that thrived here before taking some time to admire the Great Synagogue of Rome from the outside, with its striking Art Nouveau dome. Your guide will show you exquisite architectural details, a mix of Neo-Renaissance and Moorish styles, and illustrate how the place of worship and adjoining museum have become a symbol of Jewish resilience and integration.

After a brief pause at a lesser-known archaeological site that many visitors miss, you will cross the river to Tiber Island, which has served as a refuge for the Jewish community for centuries. Your guide will reveal how this tiny island has been associated with Jewish people from the very inception of their time in Rome and would become an important centre for healing and a place of both medical and spiritual sanctuary.

Last but certainly not least, your guide will take you over to Trastevere, where the very earliest testaments to Jewish society in Rome can be found. You’ll pass by the site of one of the first Roman synagogues and learn about what life was like for Jews in the city long before the Ghetto was established. As you stroll the picturesque streets, you will find out how the neighbourhood evolved into one of the city’s most beloved food and cultural districts, with deep ties to Jewish culinary traditions. By the time your tour comes to an end, you will be left with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the past, present and future of the Jewish community in Rome.

Please note: During the Jubilee Year, Rome is expected to experience increased visitor numbers and heightened security measures. While we strive to provide a seamless experience, some attractions may face last-minute closures without prior notice, longer-than-usual wait times, or time restrictions on visits inside certain attractions due to crowd control policies.

In such cases, your guide will expertly adapt the itinerary to ensure the best possible experience, using their local knowledge to navigate any challenges. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to make your visit to Rome unforgettable despite these unique circumstances.