Virtual Tour of the Ostia Antica Synagogue with Andrea Stoler - Coming this summer 2022

The Ostia Antica Synagogue

The Synagogue, the oldest in Europe, at Ostia Antica was initially built in the first or second century (CE), when Ostia became the port on the Mediterranean for Rome, at the mouth of the Tiber River. In a short period of time, this was the seat of commercial activities, notable by the presence of people of diverse religious beliefs and attracted numerous Jews. Grain was one of its most important imports. The city grew and changed, as did the synagogue. Its final reconstruction dates to the fifth century (CE), during a period when the port of Ostia was still busy.

Ostia Antica

The Synagogue covers a large area, including an entrance, its façade, and many other rooms. In its earliest form, the synagogue featured a main hall with benches along three walls; a monumental gateway featuring tall Corinthian columns; a dining room with couches along three walls, and a basin near the entryway for ritual washings. Importantly, as it should be, benches around the apse faced Jerusalem, not Rome.

The most notable Jewish feature among the ruins are columns—technically—and architrave, with an incised menorah, a shofar, and the lulav and etrog (used for the holiday of Sukkot).

The Virtual Walking Tour of Ostia Antica

The Virtual Walking Tour of Ostia Antica with Andrea Stoler will highlight the synagogue, but there are also amazing ruins of Ostia Antica to be seen (as good as Pompeii some people have commented). One can view the remains of a flour mill: places to store the wheat, the millstones for grinding it, and a large oven for baking bread. Related and fascinating, at the synagogue bread or matzoh were made, as ruins of an oven and marble table are present.

She will point out how the architectural elegance of this particular sacred structure, a little synagogue, seems out-of-place within the empty landscape and overgrown weeds. But the history is very provocative, originally being near water and on the outside of the city walls. Looks and location can be deceiving, as recently it has been postulated to be a relatively populated area with villas during the final reconstruction phase.

Andrea Stoler

Take a journey through time, visit ruins of a relatively intact ancient Roman city and hear stories about the oldest synagogue in Europe which has features similar to synagogues today. Her virtual tour will include images of important aspects of the Ostia Antica Port and an explanation of the entire complex, including fascinating lesser-known archaeological finds that will soon be published.

About the Writer, Brenda Lee Bohen

Brenda is a Latina and a proud Veteran of the United States Army Reserves. She holds dual citizenship in both the United States and Italy. She is a trained historic preservationist who tirelessly advocates the scholarship and history of the Jews of Rome. She has her certification in Jewish leadership and continues advanced studies at the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership. Brenda is also a licensed and accredited tour guide at the Jewish Museum of Rome and the Vatican Museums.

Read more blogs from Brenda: Tour of Jewish Catacombs in Rome, 3 Literary Treasures of The Jewish Museum of Rome

Sources:

https://museoebraico.roma.it/en/

Treasures Of The Jewish Museum Of Rome: Guide To The Museum And Its Collections, by Daniela Di Castro. Araldo De Luca Editore, Rome 2010; reprinted 2016

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World Jewish Travel was thrilled at #IMTM 2024 to present a copy of the WJT Jewish Silk Road Pressbook to the CEO of the Azerbaijan National Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid and Jamilya Talibzade its Israeli representative Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB).

The Pressbook celebrates the one year anniversary of the Jewish Silk Road Portal launch, an amazing example of using Jewish travel as a means of cultural diplomacy, whilst highlighting the significant Jewish contribution to the ancient trade route. Kudos to our participating partners from the Kiriaty Foundation (Turkey), National Board of Tourism of #Georgia, National Board of Tourism of #Uzbekistan, and Israeli Embassy of #India. 

See the overwhelming reaction from the press, by downloading our free pressbook. Special thanks to Moshe Gilad of the @haaretzcom for highlighting this forgotten but important story in the Galeria section of the newspaper and available to download on WJT.

👉Link to WJT Jewsih Silk Rad Pressbook and more is in our bio

🌍 Celebrating One Year of the Jewish Silk Road Portal

World Jewish Travel was thrilled at #IMTM 2024 to present a copy of the WJT Jewish Silk Road Pressbook to the CEO of the Azerbaijan National Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid and Jamilya Talibzade its Israeli representative Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB).

The Pressbook celebrates the one year anniversary of the Jewish Silk Road Portal launch, an amazing example of using Jewish travel as a means of cultural diplomacy, whilst highlighting the significant Jewish contribution to the ancient trade route. Kudos to our participating partners from the Kiriaty Foundation (Turkey), National Board of Tourism of #Georgia, National Board of Tourism of #Uzbekistan, and Israeli Embassy of #India.

See the overwhelming reaction from the press, by downloading our free pressbook. Special thanks to Moshe Gilad of the @haaretzcom for highlighting this forgotten but important story in the Galeria section of the newspaper and available to download on WJT.

👉Link to WJT Jewsih Silk Rad Pressbook and more is in our bio
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