The
Island of the Divine DewThe
Island of the Divine Dew
Jews are supposed to have lived in Florence even in the time of ancient Rome, but the first documentary proofs oftheir existence date from the 14th century.
Initially housed throughout the city but later forced to dwell in the ghetto, the Jews lived the noble history of their city, amidst ups and downs, privileges and restrictions, cultivating their own religious rites, preserving their own traditions, and organizing, with a certain amount of independence, their own cultural and social enviroment.
From the Age of Emancipaion on, the Jews were more receptive to outside influence and partecipated in all the risings of the Italian Risorgimento as well as in all the wars of Independence . Once in possession of legal and constitutional equality, they entered all the arts and professions, contributing to the cultural and economic development of Italy, quite out of proportion to their small number.
The building of a new Synagogue became necessary right after the opening and the following destruction of the Florentine Ghetto. The fund-raising campaign began with a donation of 5000 ducats by the Montebarocci family and continued for about thirty when David Levi lef his estate to build "a monumental temple worthy of Florence".
The Synagogue designed by three architects, Treves, Falcini, Micheli, was built from 1874 till 1882. It represents one of the most important examples of a monumental temple in which the exotic ( in this particular case moorish and eastern byzantine) style has been used with rare restraint and harmony. Above the transept the drum is surmounted by a dome, whose blue-green plating represents an unmistakable landmark in the Florentine panorama. Barrel vaults placed over the four equal arms terminate in four round tympanums. Another typical element of the exterior is constituted by the two octagonal turrets topped by onion-shaped domes. The internal and external arches are in moorish style, as well as the two- and three-light windows, decorated with small columns.
Inside the Synagogue the walls and ceiling are entirely covered with polychrome frescos of geometric patterns, and all the wooden and bronze decorations, as well as the tiles and windows, create a very impressive effect. The Aaron ha-Kodesh (the Ark) has black marble columns, rich mosaic decorations and golden doors. The Bimah is of finely carved dark wood.
On the second floor of the Synagoue there is the Jewish Museum of Florence, an exhibition presenting a rapid summary of the most important events in the history of Florentine Jews as well as some of the most significant ritual objects, silver ornaments and embroidered vestments, all part of the Community 's treasure.
There are also exhibited ceremonial objects used on important occasions in the life of a Jew, other used for rites celebrated at home, concerning both the family and the main Jewish Holidays and precious silver and fabrics used for adornments of the Sepher.
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