Jewish catacombs of Venosa

The Jewish catacombs of Venosa form an underground burial complex consisting of two parallel tunnels connected by passage ways. Burial spaces of various sizes are carved directly into the tufa walls and floor levels.

The site was discovered in 1853 and dates to the 4th through 6th centuries CE. One inscription provides a precise date of 521 CE, which anchors our understanding of when these burials took place.

The inscriptions carved in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew reveal how the Jewish community was woven into the fabric of local life in late Roman times. These writings show that people of different backgrounds lived together while maintaining their own traditions.

A guided tour must be arranged in advance through the Archaeology Office of Basilicata, as access is only permitted with supervision. Reaching this location requires having a car to travel via the Strada Provinciale Ofantina.

The catacombs contain around seventy inscriptions, holding more Hebrew text than the Jewish catacombs of Rome. Religious symbols such as the menorah are carved into the stone, testifying to the importance of this burial site for the local Jewish community.