Little Jerusalem

Pitigliano was called Little Jerusalem in the 19th century because of the integration of the Jews fleeing the Papal States since the 16th century. For this reason the town was home to a flourishing Jewish community. The relationship between the Jewish minority of Pitiglino and the Pitiglianese remained strong and warm for most of the centuries and even long after the almost complete disappearance of the Jews from Pitigliano during the last world war. It is hard to believe that nowadays only three Jews remain from what was once a strong and numerous Jewish Community. The Ghetto begins halfway along the Via Zuccarelli and ends just after the Synagogue. Here the Museum Patrimonio Ebraico gives you a good insight into Jewish Culture and way of life. The Synagogue built in the 16th century and restored in 1995 is now officiated only from time to time but a visit of this sublime place of peace and quietness provides you always with a special spiritual feeling .