The term seems to come from the "getto" (jet or stream or cast) of Venice, that is, from a foundry into which the metals were cast.

The word indicates the obligatoriness, for the Jews, to live clustered together in only one part of the city, in a neighbourhood surrounded by high walls, with only one main gate of access, which was closed from the outside at sundown and reopened at dawn.

The main gate was guarded by a sentry, paid by the Jewish Community, and no Jew could go out of it at night without being severely punished.

The institution of the ghetto goes back to the 16th century and until that time the Jews gathered together in neighbourhoods voluntarily, for mutual protection, since they have always been a minority.

These neighbourhoods were called "Jewish" and in some cities of Italy they were made up of one or more streets or squares, freely chosen by the Jews.

The ghetto, instead, is an obligatory cluster and therefore living there no longer gives protection but anguish and distress.

The Ghetto of Rome existed for more than three centuries, from 1555 to 1870.

In 1555 it was Paul IV who decreed its confines and closure, entrusting the work to Silvestro Peruzzi, son of the great architect, Baldassarre Peruzzi.

The doors of entrance and various windows were closed and main doors were created at the expense of the Jewish Community which was shut up again, and which felt the need to give themselves mutual support against the alien and hostile environment.

Rome under Pontifical government

In 1848, Pious IX ordered the main gates of access to be unhinged, thus allowing the Jews to move freely in the city. This act was part of the initial liberal policy of this Pope.

Therefore, the Ghetto represents the memory of an historical fact and of an ideal consistency deserving of respect.

Even today the Ghetto of Rome is a reality which is always alive, an urbanistic area, an ideal reference point for every Jew.

The majestic construction of the Synagogue, which replaced the old Temple which burned down in 1893 and the various ancient buildings going back to the Israelite banishment, are the testimony of an ethnic, religious and cultural minority which has lived and continues to live its history with intensity.

The presence of the Jewish people in Rome goes back to the last times of the republican period (2nd century B.C.).

They resided in the areas of Trastevere and the Aventine hill, where foreigners and merchants preferred to live, and the Jews have a penchant for this activity, also for reasons resulting from the circumstances of their history.

The Israelite presence in Rome continued in the first centuries of Christianity and gradually took on a particular importance, due to the presence together of Christians and Jews and the consequent clashes with pontifical power, which grew stronger and stronger. The Israelites were a minority cut off from the body of society and this state of emargination led to misunderstandings, gossip, derision, sense of inferiority.

Steps were taken which limited their independence and freedom of circulation; they were obliged to wear badges distinguishing them as Jews; religious books were burned.

Despite this, the Papacy could not fail to recognize the professional accomplishments of the Jews and the theological preparation of their Rabbis.

With the opening to the great religions of Vatican Council II, the Catholic Church today, with reasoned awareness, considers the Jewish people to be "our big brother", and we Christians deepen our roots in them.

WRITING ON THE FACADE OF THE CHURCH OF SAN GREGORIO

"I have reached out my hands all day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices; a people who provoke me to my face continually".

(Isaiah 65, 2-3)