An online Zoom lecture in the Community Scholar Program, by architecture historian Dr. Samuel Gruber, an expert on synagogue architecture worldwide and president of the International Survey of Jewish Monuments.
19-20:00 CET
In Piedmont, Italy the Jewish community built many synagogues over a period of four centuries. The earliest Ghetto synagogues are usually unmarked on the street and occupy residential-type buildings with sanctuaries located on upper floors for greater security and better lighting. Nondescript on the exterior, the sanctuaries are ornately decorated within with richly carved Baroque and Rococo arks and tevahs, and gilded and painted walls and ceiling. The Piedmontese synagogues at Alessandria, Asti, Biella, Carmagnola, Casale Monferato, Cherasco, Cuneo, Ivrea, Mondovi, and Saluzzo, survive as largely unknown architectural treasures, but they are gradually being restored and opened ot the public.
In this talk, lavishly illustrated with his photos, Dr. Samuel Gruber examines some of the most dazzling synagogues in Europe and relates them to the artistic and religious movements of the time.