Coliseum

It was built by the Flavians in the year 72 A.D.  Many Jewish slaves (prisoners of war) worked on its construction.

Mamertine Prison

King Aristobul II was imprisoned here in the year 61 A.D., as was I Simon Bar Ghiora, the Jewish general who defended Jerusalem against Titus.

Ancient Jewish neighborhoods

• Trastevere
  According to Filone, was given to the Jews by Augustus, and was the space included between the Tiber, San Michele and Viale Trastevere.
   

• Il Ghetto
  The Ghetto (with eight doors, which later became eleven).  Created by Pope Paul IV in 1555, the Jews entered it on July 26, 1555.  It was suppressed in 1870.  The neighbourhood is still inhabited by Jews for the most part and has conserved the mark and the memories of the ancient ghetto (between Via del Progresso, Via del Portico d'Ottavia and the Tiber).
  

Synagogues

There were as many as eleven spread all over the city.  The ghetto had five under the same roof near the present Palazzo Cenci.  Today in their place rises the large Synagogue (Major Temple) of the Italian rite, on the Lungotevere Cenci.  Built in 1904, it has kept the memory of the ancient places of study and prayer and is flanked by an interesting museum.  Other important Synagogues are:  Spanish Temple (Sefardite rite) in the same place as the Synagogue but with its entrance on Via Catalana; Ashkenazite Temple (ashkenazite rite) in Via Balbo 33; "Di Castro" Oratory (Italian rite) in Via Balbo 33 as well.

Cimiteri

Inscription on a tomb in Via Appia:  this recalls two freedmen Jews, Zabda and Achiba, at the crossing with Via Tor Carbone.

An ancient Jewish cemetery may be found near Porta Portese.  In the last century the cemetery on the Aventine Hill near the Circus Maximus was transferred to Rome's Verano Cemetery.  Two plaques recall the fact at the place which is now the City of Rome's Rose Garden.  Finally, six Jewish catacombs, similar to the Christian ones, were discovered in the following places:

1.  In Via Portuense (Monteverde Nuovo), discovered in 1602, at present part of it is under modern buildings.

2.  In Via Appia Antica (Vigna Randanini), discovered in 1859, which is among the largest.

3.  In Vicolo San Sebastiano, discovered in 1866, but is now lost.

4.  In Via Casilina (Vigna Apolloni), discovered in 1882, which is now almost completely lost.

5.  In Via Appia Pignatelli, discovered in 1885, which is also lost.

6.  In Via Nomentana, (park of Villa Torlonia), discovered in 1919, nine kilometers of tunnels.

Since none of these catacombs is equipped with lights or suitable pathways, it is practically impossible to visit them, except for those of Via Appia and Via Nomentana for which, in any case, it is necessary to obtain permission and set an appointment.

Obelisks

- in Piazza del Popolo (Ramses II, the oppressor Pharaoh).

- in Piazza della Minerva (with allusions to the Exodus).

Statues of Moses

• Moses of Michelangelo, in the Church of San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains).  The artist also designed the statues of Leah and Rachel for the marble group on the tomb of Pope Julius II, which was supposed to be placed in the Vatican Basilica but which was not finished.

• Moses of Prospero Antichi, in the fountain of Piazza San Bernardo, near the Church of Santa Susanna.  On both sides of Moses are marble reliefs by Della Porta and by Vacca, representing Aaron and Gideon.

• Moses saved from the waters in a fountain on the Pincio hill.

Vatican Museums

- the Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoed by Michelangelo with subjects such as the creation, the Kings, the Prophets.  On the walls are scenes from the Exodus with works by Pinturicchio, Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Signorelli and others.

- the Loggias of Raphael also called the "Bible of Raphael" because of the many scenes from the Old and the New Testament.

National Museum of Rome

This was built on the ancient Baths of Diocletian and has Jewish sarcofaghi.

Campo de' Fiori

The texts of the Talmud were burned in this ancient square several times.

Palazzo dei Conservatori

Here there are remains of Jewish catacombs.

National Central Library of Rome

There is an important collection here of the registry books of Jewish merchants and bankers, and a collection of books

Fosse Ardeatine

Monumental center in memory of the massacre in which many were killed by the Nazis on March 24, 1943.

Ostia Antica

Here are the remains of a 4th century synagogue which unfortunately is difficult to enter.  In front of the Museum, on the right, are two pillars with bas-reliefs of the Menorah.