Italy is home to one of the oldest continuous Jewish communities in the world, with roots stretching back over two millennia. Across Northern, Central, and Southern Italy, as well as Sicily, Jewish life became an integral part of the peninsula’s cultural, intellectual, and economic history.

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In the North, cities such as Venice, Florence, and Milano emerged as vibrant centers of Jewish thought and creativity, where tradition endured even in times of restriction. Central Italy, and Rome in particular, holds a unique place as the oldest Jewish community in Europe, preserving ancient rituals and customs shaped by centuries of coexistence with empire and Church alike.

 

The South of Italy and Sicily once hosted thriving Jewish populations deeply connected to Mediterranean trade, scholarship, and daily life. Though expulsions in the late 15th century forced many communities underground or into exile, their legacy remains visible today in local traditions, architecture, and a growing rediscovery of Jewish identity.

Jewish heritage in Italy is a story of continuity, resilience, and belonging—woven into the land, the cities, and the living traditions that continue to shape Italian culture today.