Jews referred to Mantua as "Kiriah ha Alizah" "the happy city". In 16th and 17th century Mantua was the centre of Jewish music, theater and one of the birthplace of Jewish printing. The first Jews settled in Mantua in 1145. Under the Gonzagas Mantua was a haven of relative racial and cultural tolerance and the community grew to reach 3, 000 in 1610, at that time Jews constituted about 7. 5 % of the population of Mantua. Up to the 19th century the Jewish community of Mantua was the only one important in Lombardy. With the guided tour in the city centre you will learn about the Gonzagas and their relationship with the Jews, and discover where the old Ghetto, built in 1612, was. You will visit in the city centre some streets of the old ghetto (Via Giustiziani where the ghetto square was, Via Bertani with the 17th Rabbi's house, via Scuola Grande where two synagogues stood, Via Portoni where one of the 7 ghetto gates was. Saint Andrews Basilica where there is a painting of the Virgin Mary paid by the Jewish family Norsa, the family Norsa is represented in the painting. The former church Santa Maria della Vittoria the church together with the painting painted by Mantegna, now at the Louvre museum, were paid by the Jewish family Norsa. Of the 12 sinagogues of the old ghetto only one has survived, the Norsa synagogue, which was first built in 1513 and later rebuilt. Its clean white walls decorated with stucco contrast with the pink-and-white stone, reflecting a refined humanism of the Mantuan Jews. *VISIT at the SYNAGOGUE must be reserved. **According to the opening times it is also possible to visit the old JEWISH CEMETERY, still used by the community.
PAY ATTENTION:
*The synagogue Norsa-Torrazzo is opened from Monday to Friday from 9 to 11, on request on Sunday. Reservation for the visit is required
**Jewish cemetery is about 1, 5 km far from the city centre . Car or taxi are needed for moving up to there
My name is Manuela and I’m a professional licensed tour guide in Mantua (It.Mantova), Ferrara, Bologna, Modena and Parma. I was born in the middle of the Po Valley on the border between Lombardy and Emilia Romagna Regions, and it was natural for me to become a licensed guide in both regions. I'm a mix of the two cultures I get along with the Lombard pragmatism and the Emilian jovial and open minded lifestyle. But from both cultures, above anything else, I have taken the best: culture, history, art and …why not … good food and wines! I love showing people the best these cities and their provinces can offer. Follow me and you will discover not only beautiful squares and ancient buildings, but also less known city corners, everyday life stories and the reason why this area is called the “Italian Food Valley”. I love enjoying the wonder of my guests while I'm talking about art and history, looking at their open mouthed faces, see their surprising eyes and hear their exciting comments and, last but not least, … their delight in looking, smelling and tasting our typical products. I can provide private guided tours for Individuals, families, small and big groups, school groups, walking day and night tours and … custom-made tours. If You have questions please ask me without hesitation. Try and Be my SPECIAL GUESTS! Full profile ⋅ Leave a Review
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