Synagogue of Casale Monferrato, Casale Monferrato, Italy

The Synagogue of Casale Monferrato was built in 1595 and is particularly known for its exquisite Baroque interior with walls and ceiling embellished with elaborate painting, carving and gilding. It is located in a narrow alleyway in the traditionally Jewish quarter of Casale Monferrato, which in the eighteenth century became the city’s ghetto. The plain building houses a clandestine synagogue, giving no indication of its purpose as a Jewish house of worship.

As in most early modern European synagogues, the synagogue was entered not directly from the street, but via a courtyard: both for reasons of security and to comply with laws requiring that the sound of Jewish worship not be audible by Christians.

Casale Monferrato is one of the few synagogues that survived in Piedmont, which once had many. Others in or close to Monferrato and the Langhe include the Biella Synagogue, the Vercelli Synagogue, and those of Asti, Alessandria, Chieri, Carmagnola, Cherasco, Moncalvo and Trino Vercellese.

In 1941, the synagogue was vandalized in the context of the Fascist persecution of Jews during World War II.

The museums

The Jewish Art and History Museum, also known as the Museum of Silverware (Museo degli Argenti), was designed by Giulio Bourbon and is located in part in the former women’s gallery of the synagogue. On display are precious silver ceremonial objects and embroidered textiles, as well as artefacts related to Jewish festivals and domestic life.

The Museum of Lights (Museo dei Lumi) occupies an underground room formerly used for baking matzot and houses a growing collection of menorahs created by contemporary Jewish and non-Jewish artists including Elio Carmi, Emanuele Luzzati, Aldo Mondino, Gabriele Levy, Marco Porta, Tobia Ravà, Antonio Recalcati and David Gerstein.

User Reviews

Ruchika (9 months ago)
Absolutely breathtaking Synagogue with such a phenomenal history in and about this area and how it was a centre of commerce for centuries. With only two Jewish families left, the locals do the tours with such reverence and historical knowledge. Definitely worth a stop here and you have to book an English tour in advance.

Daniel Kersenti (2 years ago)
Outstanding

B T (2 years ago)
This is an amazing place to visit. So thrilled it has been preserved. Reserve your tour in advance. Absolutely worth going to Casale to see this gem, and staying overnight to see the whole area, which is wonderful.

Candacë Manske (5 years ago)
Wonderful tour in English, magnificent welcome.

Amos Adjusters (6 years ago)
You cannot come to Casale without visiting this historic monument. A good place to stop and reflect.

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Synagogue of Casale Monferrato

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