Description of the attraction
The Bova Marina Synagogue is the second oldest synagogue in Italy (after the Ostia synagogue in Rome) and one of the oldest in all of Europe. It is located in the coastal town of Bova Marina in the Italian region of Calabria. The name of the town is translated as “by the sea”.
The ruins of a synagogue in Bova Marina were discovered in 1983 during road repairs. Inside, a mosaic floor with the image of a menorah candelabra, a shofar (wind musical instrument) and a lulav (date palm branch) on the right and an etrog (citrus type) on the left has been preserved. In addition, there are other decorative elements, such as the so-called Solomon's knot, one of the most ancient ornaments in the world. Here you can also see a niche in the wall, in which, as it is believed, the Torah scrolls were once kept.
This synagogue was built in the 4th century and slightly modified in the 6th century. Scientists-archaeologists suggest that under it may be the foundation of an older structure, but to get to it, you will need to destroy the synagogue. The building, oriented to the southeast, is made in the form of a basilica, which echoes the Byzantine synagogues of Galilee. Probably, the synagogue ceased to fulfill its functions in the 7th century, and the entire territory around it was abandoned. Subsequently, numerous artifacts were found here, such as amphora handles, and three thousand bronze coins.
In 2011, it was decided to create an entire archaeological park around the Bova Marina synagogue and to open a museum in which Jewish artifacts discovered there will be exhibited. For these purposes, 600 thousand euros were allocated. One of the goals of this project is the development of local tourism, although today Rabbi Barbara Aiello leads excursion groups to the ruins of the synagogue. It should also be noted that the Jewish community of Calabria is considered one of the oldest in Europe.
