The Scola Nova Synagogue and the Jewish quarter

Leaving the cathedral behind, you walk towards the Jewish quarter along Via La Giudea, whose origins date back to Roman times. The Jewish community in Trani remained active until its expulsion from southern Italia in 1541, and the ‘Giudecca’ stood at the heart of the historic centre: in the 12th century it was home to around 200 families, a figure even higher than that of Rome during the same period, whilst today it is inhabited entirely by local residents and boasts the Scola Nova Synagogue – the oldest in Europe still in use (its construction dates back to the mid-1200s) – as its main attraction.

Used for centuries as a Christian church (Santa Maria in Scolanova), in 2005 it was restored to Jewish worship (it is open daily for guided tours and to the public during Jewish festivals), complementing the Great Synagogue of Sant’Anna, which houses the Jewish section of the Diocesan Museum, featuring important epigraphic and historical artefacts. Continuing the tour through the narrow streets, characterised by an abundance of white stone, in just a few minutes you reach another important place of worship: the ancient Lombard church of San Martino, which is home to the Orthodox community.