The Jewish Quarter
The oldest Jewish community in Europe, in a corner of the centre with a Roman portico for a front door.
Jews have lived in Rome for more than two thousand years, making this one of the oldest Jewish communities in Europe. In 1555 the Pope enclosed the neighbourhood and made it a ghetto, and the walls stood until Rome joined the new Italian state in 1870.
Today it is a small and quiet corner between the river and the Capitoline hill, with an ancient Roman portico at one end, a synagogue at the other and some of the most distinctive cooking in the city in between.
What to see
The Portico d'Ottavia
A Roman gateway built to a woman of the imperial family and later used as the entrance to a fish market. It stands among medieval and Renaissance houses, and the whole street feels like a stratigraphy of the city.
The Great Synagogue and the museum
The synagogue, with its square aluminium dome, was built in the early twentieth century. The Jewish Museum of Rome is in the same building. Check opening times before you go, as they change for Jewish holidays.
Via della Reginella and Piazza Mattei
A tiny lane in the heart of the quarter leads to Piazza Mattei, where the Fountain of the Turtles stands in a corner you could walk past without noticing. It is a good place to stop and look at how the quarter was built, a few streets at a time.
Where to eat
We name a place only when we have checked that it is still trading, and show the date. Where we have not, we tell you what to look for.
Pasticceria Boccione
Via del Portico d'Ottavia 1
A kosher bakery in business since 1815, famous for its ricotta and sour-cherry tart. It sells out by midday, so go in the morning, and remember it closes from Friday afternoon until after Saturday.
Checked 4 October 2026. Atlas Obscura, Tripadvisor and Wikipedia listings, June 2026
Fried artichokes in season
What to look for
Carciofi alla giudia, whole artichokes deep fried until they open like flowers, are the dish of the quarter. They are at their best from about February to April.
Next neighbourhood
Garbatella