Ostia Synagogue, Ancient Jewish synagogue ruins in Ostia, Italy
Ostia Synagogue is an ancient Jewish place of worship in the ruins of the Roman port city, featuring a rectangular main hall with a curved back wall. The structure contains four marble columns, a raised platform for scrolls, and several side rooms including a kitchen with a furnace and storage areas for provisions.
The synagogue was built during Emperor Claudius's reign in the middle of the 1st century and served as a place of worship through the 5th century. This long period of use shows that Ostia's Jewish community remained active and established for several centuries.
The building displays marble carvings of Jewish symbols such as the menorah and shofar, which decorated its walls and apse. These images reveal what mattered most to the Jewish community that worshipped here.
The site is part of the Ostia Antica archaeological complex and can be visited alongside other ruins in the area. It is helpful to wear proper footwear and bring sun protection, as the remains are partly exposed outdoors with limited shade.
An inscription at the site documents a donation by Mindus Faustus in the 2nd century for a chest to store sacred scrolls. This personal gift reveals how wealthy community members supported the religious practices of their synagogue.
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