Florence is home to a large and exceptionally beautiful synagogue that can be traced back to the nineteenth century when David Levi, President of the Hebrew University, bequeathed his possessions in order to build a new synagogue for Florence that would be “worthy of the city”. The architectural gem that resulted is a stunning beauty and a must-see for those interested in religious architecture in the city. Just find a luxury villa in Florence and come visit this incredible building for yourself.
Levi had also even provided for the acquisition of a site between the new development of the Mattonaia and Piazza d’Azeglio and the building of the Tempio Maggiore Israelitico di Firenze, or Great Synagogue of Florence, was completed between 1874 and 1882 under the direction of architects Marco Treves, Mariano Falcini, and Vincenzo Micheli.
Levi had also even provided for the acquisition of a site between the new development of the Mattonaia and Piazza d’Azeglio and the building of the Tempio Maggiore Israelitico di Firenze, or Great Synagogue of Florence, was completed between 1874 and 1882 under the direction of architects Marco Treves, Mariano Falcini, and Vincenzo Micheli.
With a Moorish style façade, the temple is faced in stunning travertine and pink pomato stone and surmounted by a central dome in green oxidised copper, which is flanked by two towers topped by smaller copper domes. Polychromatic, ornate and exceptionally crafted, it is an incredible sight to behold. It stands out, tall and breath-taking, high above the surrounding buildings and is an unmistakable part of the Florentine skyline.
Inside, it is just as lovely and is a light-filled gilded jewel box that was entirely decorated by Giovanni Panti with painted arabesques in red and blue, originally picked out in gold, wrought-iron railings adorned with seven-branched candelabra by Francesco Marini, mosaics, a baldaquin, a Star of David in black and yellow marble on the floor, and much more besides.
If you are interested in learning more about the history of Florentine Jews, you will also find a museum on the first floor, which alongside the synagogue itself, attracts 50,000 tourists a year. A stunning and fascinating building, this is an interesting gem to explore while in Florence, Tuscany, no matter your religious affiliation or potential lack thereof.
Inside, it is just as lovely and is a light-filled gilded jewel box that was entirely decorated by Giovanni Panti with painted arabesques in red and blue, originally picked out in gold, wrought-iron railings adorned with seven-branched candelabra by Francesco Marini, mosaics, a baldaquin, a Star of David in black and yellow marble on the floor, and much more besides.
If you are interested in learning more about the history of Florentine Jews, you will also find a museum on the first floor, which alongside the synagogue itself, attracts 50,000 tourists a year. A stunning and fascinating building, this is an interesting gem to explore while in Florence, Tuscany, no matter your religious affiliation or potential lack thereof.
Photo credit: Toksave / CC BY-SA 3.0
