Ferrara - Jewish Heritage in Bassani's novel "The Garden of the Finzi-Continis"

The presence of a Jewish community in Ferrara goes well back in time. The historic ghetto counted for refugees from Spain in 1492 and their Biblia de Ferrara; the later immigration of Jews from other European countries up to the devastating consequences of 1938 Racial Laws is carved in the memorial plate to the right of the Community's building main door entrance in via Mazzini 95. The 17th c. so called German School and the cemetery still in use, the lanes and places of the medieval town in which Giorgio Bassani set The Garden of the Finzi-Continis, are some of the most representative highlights of the city. 

The tour is possible at any time. The tour does not include the interior of the Synagogue (special opening times), but can include the cemetery (not on Jewish Holidays).

Pictures by Elisabetta Gulino.