Synagogue, Jewish temple in Castelletto district, Genoa, Italy
The Synagogue in Genoa is a house of worship in the Castelletto district that combines Romanesque and Oriental design elements, featuring a central hall with two polygonal apses. The interior is finished with marble cladding throughout, creating a solemn setting for religious services.
The current structure was inaugurated in 1935, replacing an 18th-century oratory that stood near the Malapaga Walls. This new building was built to accommodate Genoa's expanding Jewish population.
The main hall features a two-story women's gallery, with inscriptions from Psalms and Prophets visible on the walls that spell out the name of benefactor Tobias Cohen Pavia. These details tell the story of how the Jewish community and its supporters shaped this sacred space.
The building sits on Via Bertora 6 in the Castelletto neighborhood and is straightforward to locate if you follow street signs. Visitors should contact the community ahead of time, as access requires permission and is available only at set times.
Inside the synagogue stands a noteworthy reading platform that artist Emanuele Luzzati designed as a wooden ship's lookout. Its surface is decorated with tiles depicting the twelve tribes of Israel, turning the piece into a visual storyteller.
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