Extensive restoration work at the Jewish section of Rome’s historic monumental Verano cemetery has been completed and officially recognized with an inspection visit this week by Rome city councilor Sabrina Alfonsi, Jewish leaders, and other officials.
Restoration, financed by the city, was carried out in 2023-2024 in the wake of vandalism in 2017 and extensive damage caused by large cedar and cypress trees toppled by storms in 2019 and 2021.
The cemetery is Rome’s main Jewish cemetery, opened in the 1890s as a section of Verano, which was founded in the early 19th century.
The fallen trees crushed as many as 90 tombs and damaged other structures.
The city allocated about €1 million for the work in 2023.
Repairs included rebuilding walls, restoring damaged graves and structures, and carrying out work on the grounds.
“All the work was carried out in full respect for constraints regarding monuments […] The most sensitive operation were carried out in the presence of civic representatives and religious representatives from the Rome Jewish community, to guarantee respect for religious (law),” wrote Shalom, the Rome Jewish community magazine.
Read about the restoration in Shalom
Read an article about the restoration in (AI translated) English
Watch a Facebook video showing the results of the restoration — with description in Italian: