The medieval Scolanova synagogue in Trani, in southern Italy’s Puglia region, has reopened after a six-month process of preservation and repair work that included cleaning and treating the interior walls and the exterior facade as well as repairing the roof, which had presented signs of possible impending collapse.
The reopening ceremony March 3 took place during the third annual Lech Lecha Jewish culture festival, held in Trani and nearby Barletta.
Further repairs and renovations are planned, said local Jewish leader Cosimo Yehudah Pagliara. These, he said, will include construction of a bimah and women’s gallery in wood and removal of an altar that was placed during a restoration of the building in 1981.
Long used as a church, the Scolanova was returned to the Jewish community in 2006 and again functions as a synagogue, even though no Jews live in Trani and only a very small number live in Puglia.
Trani was home to a large Jewish community from the first part of the 11th century, but the community largely disappeared with forced conversions at the end of the 13th/beginning of the 14th century; Jews were finally expelled in 1510.
The town had four synagogues in medieval times. All four were turned into churches after the expulsion of the Jews, and the Scolanova, originally built around 1240, is one of only two that survived intact. (The other, the Scola Grande, which had been transformed into the church of St. Anna, now houses the Jewish Art section of the Diocesan Museum.)
Diocesan Museum of Trani-Barletta-Bisceglie
The web site has information on Trani’s original four synagogues and their history.
Article on the history of Jewish quarter (Giudecca) in Trani
Article on the history of Jews in Trani
12 comments on “Synagogue in Trani, Italy reopens after refurbishment”
Hi, is there an active Jewish community in Puglia? Even in people’s homes or just for some occasioms? I’m considering living in the area. I have Italian friends there but I would like to be involved in Jewish life too.. I’m in a community in the UK.
Kind regards
Is the Sinagogue opens in “Yum Kipur “we’ll be in the aria,we would like to paticipate.
We will arrive on 7/10/19 . We will stay in Andria, is it close ?
Thanks for the information
There is a growing number of Jews and some Israelis who either live or/and have homes in Puglia.
Usually, alas, we found that it is easier to arrange visits if we book it well in advance than having a service there. I know of families who travel all the way to Naples to have a religious service during the Jewish Holidays
My wife and I will be visiting Puglia ( yet again ) and will be staying in Trani 16 – 17 August 2017.
I would like to say kaddish for my father and wonder if the Schul will be open?
Thank you
Sheldon Leaman
My late husband’s family were DiTrani’s who came from Cerignola which is close to Trani. They were not Jewish and knew nothing of the Jewish history of Trani. Is geneological information available? I assume that the name DiTrani indicates family origins in Trani.
Dear Rita, you can probably find information on that page…
https://www.j-italy.org/libraries/history-of-the-jewish-community-in-trani/
and/or ask directly the author, Mr.Francesco Lotoro francesco.lotoro@fastwebnet.it
Trani is a wonderful place to visit 😉
Dann
Hello , I would like to know if the sinagouge will be open on Rosh Hashana evening – 2.10.2016. Can we join the prays there? Thank you
Hello.
I am in trani. I arrived today, sunday, and will leave tomorrow. Will it be possible to visit the synagogue?
Thanks for your response.
Best,
Isabelle
If you are in Trani (I am not) you will have to check at the synagogue itself or at the Jewish Museum (part of the Dioceses Museum) whose address and contacts are on the Museums page of the Italian section of this web site.
Is the synagogue active? Is there any Jewish community or community in the making in Trani?
No Jews live in Trani, but the synagogue is considered active. Services are held there from time to time.
How can I visit Trani synagogue on 22.6.15
Is there a phone to call ?
What are openning hours