Old Synagogue of Livorno

This article is about the former synagogue, completed in 1603. For the current synagogue, completed in 1962, see New Synagogue of Livorno. For similarly named synagogues, see Old Synagogue.

Old Synagogue of Livorno
Italian: Tempio Maggiore di Livorno
The old synagogue, prior to 1944
Religion
AffiliationJudaism (former)
RiteNusach Sefard
Ecclesiastical or organisational statusSynagogue (1603–1944)
StatusDestroyed
Location
LocationPiazza Benamozegh 1, Livorno, Tuscany
CountryItaly
Old Synagogue of Livorno is located in Tuscany
Old Synagogue of Livorno
Location of the destroyed synagogue in Tuscany
Geographic coordinates43°32′56″N 10°18′33″E / 43.54889°N 10.30917°E / 43.54889; 10.30917
Architecture
Architect(s)
TypeSynagogue architecture
Date established1603 (as a congregation)
Completed1603; 1789 (renovations)
Destroyed1944
Specifications
Length28 metres (92 ft)
Width26 metres (85 ft)

The Old Synagogue of Livorno, or Great Synagogue of Livorno (Italian: Tempio Maggiore di Livorno), was a Jewish congregation and synagogue, that was located at Piazza Benamozegh 1, in Livorno, in Tuscany, Italy. The synagogue was completed in 1603 and was devastated during World War II by Nazis in 1944.

The New Synagogue of Livorno was completed in 1962 to replace the former ancient synagogue.

History

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The first synagogue of Livorno dates from 1603. The synagogue was built in a modest and simple style by Claudio Cogorano and Alessandro Pieroni. In the following years the synagogue was enlarged to accommodate an increase of Livorno's Jewish population to approximately 3,000 people.[1][2] The project to build a larger worship hall and to add galleries was undertaken by Francesco Cantagallina in 1642.[2] The Torah ark was built with inlaid colored marble by Isidoro Baratta from Carrara, surmounted by a silver crown with a topaz set on it. The bimah was built with the same technique, and the ceiling was enriched with stuccoes, decorations and gilt.[3]

The temple underwent structural renovation by Ignazio Fazzi following an earthquake in 1742. In addition, a second row of gallery was built for women.[3] After the work was completed, the temple hall was the second largest after that of the Synagogue of Amsterdam, measuring 28 metres (92 ft) long by 26 metres (85 ft) wide.[4] On September 20, 1789, the first evening of Rosh Hashanah 5550 according to the Hebrew calendar, the newly renovated synagogue was inaugurated.[3] In the 19th century the synagogue was further expanded, and a new southern façade was built.

The synagogue was partially destroyed during World War II.

See also

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Simchat Torah at the Synagogue of Livorno (Solomon Alexander Hart, c. 1850).

References

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  1. ^ "Livorno Jewish History Tour". Jewish Virtual Library.
  2. ^ a b "Antica sinagoga di Livorno (1604)" [Old synagogue of Livorno] (in Italian). Livorno delle Nazioni.
  3. ^ a b c "Livorno ebraica » Vecchia Sinagoga" [Jewish Livorno » Old synagogue] (in Italian). moked.it.
  4. ^ "La Vecchia Livorno, immagini d'epoca in foto e cartoline da collezione della città: Cartoline storiche della vecchia Sinagoga a Livorno" [Old Livorno, vintage images in photos and postcards from collections of the city: Historical postcards of the old Synagogue in Livorno] (in Italian). lavecchialivorno.blogspot.it.
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Media related to Tempio Maggiore di Livorno (1643-1944) at Wikimedia Commons

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