Jewish presence in Gorizia has been documented since the 13th century, with the first settlement at the foot of the Castle. At the end of the 17th century, a Ghetto was established, where Jews engaged in trade and craftsmanship, particularly in silk processing. Over time, the community became known for its high cultural level, earning Gorizia the nickname “Little Jerusalem on the Isonzo.”
Under Habsburg rule, the Jewish community, though small in number, played an important role in the city's bourgeoisie. Many of its members supported the Italian irredentist movement until 1938, when the racial laws were enacted. On November 23, 1943, during the Nazi occupation, the remaining Jews were deported to Auschwitz, and very few survived.
In 1969, the Jewish community of Gorizia merged with that of Trieste. The Synagogue, built in 1756, was used until that year. Donated to the Municipality in 1978, it was restored and reopened in 1984 as a cultural venue, no longer used for worship.
The Ashkenazi-rite Synagogue still preserves its original 18th-century appearance: on the first floor, visitors can see the Temple, which retains the powerful atmosphere of a place suspended in time, as very few changes have been made since the 1700s. The large hall is topped by a splendid wooden women's gallery with a balcony. Thanks to its large windows and two beautiful wrought-iron chandeliers, the Synagogue is particularly bright. On the sides are the wooden pews for the faithful, and on the back wall stands the tabernacle with four twisted columns in dark marble, protected by a gilded wrought-iron balustrade. Inside was placed the scroll of the Holy Scriptures, the Torah. Opposite it is a raised platform where the person reading the Scriptures stood during rituals.
At the entrance of the Synagogue, a plaque commemorates the Jews deported in 1943. Nearby are an 18th-century gate that once marked the entrance to the Ghetto and a small garden dedicated to Bruno Faber, a newborn deported to Auschwitz.
Free admission
Opening hours: Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00
