Great Synagogue of Rome
The Great Synagogue of Rome (Italian: Tempio Maggiore di Roma) is the largest synagogue in Rome and one of the greatest in Europe.
The Jewish community of Rome goes back to the 2nd century B.C when the Roman Empire had an alliance of sorts with Judea under the leadership of Judah Maccabeus. At that time, many Jews came to Rome from Judea. Their numbers increased during the following centuries due to the settlement that came with Mediterranean trade. Then large numbers of Jews were brought to Rome as slaves following the Jewish–Roman wars in Judea from 63 to 135 CE
The present Synagogue was constructed shortly after the unification of Italy in 1870, when the Kingdom of Italy captured Rome and the Papal States ceased to exist. The Roman Ghetto was demolished and the Jews were granted citizenship. The building which had previously housed the ghetto synagogue (a complicated structure housing five scolas in a single building) was demolished, and the Jewish community began making plans for a new and impressive building.
Commemorative plates have been affixed to honour the local Jewish victims of Nazi Germany and of a Palestine Liberation Organization attack in 1982.
The synagogue celebrated its centenary in 2004. In addition to serving as a house of worship, it is also serves a cultural and organizational centre for la Comunità Ebraica di Roma (the Jewish community of Rome). It houses the offices of the Chief Rabbi of Rome, as well as the Jewish Museum of Rome.
Designed by Vincenzo Costa and Osvaldo Armanni, the synagogue was built from 1901 to 1904 on the banks of the Tiber, overlooking the former ghetto. The eclectic style of the building makes it stand out, even in a city known for notable buildings and structures. This attention-grabbing design was a deliberate choice made by the community at the time who wanted the building to be a visible celebration of their freedom and to be seen from many vantage points in the city. The aluminium dome is the only squared dome in the city and makes the building easily identifiable even from a distance.
Temple of Apollo Sosianus
The Temple of Apollo Sosianus (previously known as the Apollinar and the temple of Apollo Medicus) is a Roman temple dedicated to Apollo in the Campus Martius, next to the Theatre of Marcellus and the Porticus Octaviae, in Rome, Italy. Its present name derives from that of its final rebuilder, Gaius Sosius.
The Apollinar and its successors can closely be linked to the site next to the theatre due to Ascanius's reference] to it being "outside the porta Carmentalis between the Forum Holitorium and the Circus Flaminius", Livy's placing it in the prata Flaminia (Flaminian meadows, as this area was then called and other references placing it near to the forum, the Capitol and the theatre of Marcellus respectively. All these indicate the presently-accepted site for this temple, just north of the theatre and east of the porticus Octaviae, on the street leading through the porta Carmentalis to the campus Martius, a little south of the present Piazza Campitelli.
The three columns of the temple which survive to full-height today belong to the Augustan rebuild, but the cult of Apollo had existed in this area since at least to the mid-5th century BC when an Apollinar (a sacred grove or altar) was recorded on this site. Since Apollo was a foreign cult, it thus legally had to be placed outside the pomerium, making it a regular spot for extra-pomerial senate meetings (This was also Apollo's only temple in Rome until Augustus dedicated another on the Palatine Hill.)
The first temple building dates to 431 BC, when the consul Gnaeus Iulius Mento inaugurated one dedicated to Apollo Medicus (the doctor), in fulfilment of a vow to him during a plague of 433 BC. This building was restored in 353 BC, and perhaps in 179 BC, when the censor Marcus Aemilius Lepidus and his colleague let the contract for building a porticus from the temple to the Tiber, behind the temple of Spes. The censor's projects also included a nearby theatre. The shedding of tears for three days by a cult-statue of Apollo, cited among the prodigies at the death of the Younger Scipio, can only have occurred at this temple, there being no others to Apollo.
A neighbouring temple dedicated to Apollo's sister Diana probably dates to the late Republic, following the destruction of the Apollo temple's precinct in work on the theatre of Marcellus.
Critiques | Translate
lousat (82684) 2014-02-17 10:20
Ciao Romano,questo gioco di luci e ombre sta diventando una sorta di firma occulta,una nuova immagine molto ben bilanciata e con ottimi colori e dettagli,e poi il luogo parla da solo.....buona serata! Luciano
Giustiniani (3604) 2014-02-17 10:22
la lumière dorée qui éclaire cette magnifique synagogue et les colonnes du temple créent une atmosphère romantique qui me rappelle certaines toiles de Hubert Robert ou les paysages peints par Guardi. La photo est sublime.
Bonne soirée, amicalement
luce dorata che illumina questa bella sinagoga e le colonne del tempio creano un'atmosfera romantica che mi ricorda alcuni dipinti di Hubert Robert o paesaggi dipinti del Guardi. La foto è sublime. Congratulazioni!
Buona sera, amichevole.
ikeharel (63019) 2014-02-17 10:22
Buona sera Romano,
Maybe accidently, you took the pic. when a special glow of afternoon golden light shed upon the Synagogue.
Created a marvelous contrast to the surrounding in shaded area.
The big three pillars on left are remarkable and prominently on image's space.
Fine shot, bravo.
Silvio1953 (130472) 2014-02-17 10:36
Ciao Romano, favolosa luce dorata sulle tre magnifiche colonne corinzie e sulla sinagoga, POV ricercato ed efficace come tuo solito, grande bellezza, bravissimo, ciao Silvio
ngk (2413) 2014-02-17 10:52
Wonderful composition !! Amazing colors, nice contrast, great light management.
Have a nice week.
saxo042 (37694) 2014-02-17 11:15
The low sun brings a very good light over the upper parts of the buildings here. A very interesting view with many attractive details. A very interesting note too.
jurek1951 (42196) 2014-02-17 11:21
a very spectacular architectural photo with interesting note, the POV is very attractive, superb lights and clarity. Effective photo work,
papagolf21 (90576) 2014-02-17 11:26
Félicitations pour cette superbe prise de vue. La lumière est sublime.
L'architecture est merveilleusement mise en scène.
Noel_Byrne (27440) 2014-02-17 12:03
Sto cercando la parola giusta per descrivere la luce che hai catturato qui, e penso che Epic è quella corretta. C'è una tale atmosfera celeste ai raggi dorati che cadono su entrambe le rovine e la sinagoga, la sua stupefacente. Una bella composizione di tutto il quadro, i resti delle colonne di guardia e splendente dell'oro, ci invita nella foto. E là in fondo, con la profondità perfetta ama il soggetto anche incandescente oro. Un bel momento e un posto bellissimo.
Grazie come sempre
macjake (61514) 2014-02-17 12:58
pretty hard to resist looking at this photo from the gallery page! Its in a collage type of format, i enjoy seeing buildings photographed in this way.
of course the golden light is the star, you chose a perfect time of day.
excellent notes to go along with the photo, perfect te post.
carlo62 (38773) 2014-02-17 15:11
sarebbe bastato il particolare delle tre colonne colpite dalla luce calda a farne una foto splendida, componendola in questo modo, hai ottenuto molto di più.
ChrisJ (104387) 2014-02-17 16:39
Nice catch of the late afternoon or early morning sunlight striking the top of the ancient columns and the bg dome of the Jewish Synagogue. Good sharpness and smart choice of a vertical format. Tfs!
npecanhuk (70106) 2014-02-17 18:39
Very interesting and attractive city details!
Very beautiful picture!
Sharpness, management of difficult light, (wonderful) colors, vertical format, chosen pov and (superb) composition are all excellent photo qualities that I truly enjoyed!
So nice to see such corners of ROME!
elenimavrandoni (14209) 2014-02-17 20:27
Romano, tu sguadro è sempre un sguadro bellissimo, mi piace molto la luce y il contrasto!!
un lavoro completo e meraviglioso come al solito!!
SnapRJW (31627) 2014-02-17 21:56
An excellent composition where the light falling very specifically onto the two structured gives depth to the shot. A very interesting note accompanies a strong, well managed image. Nicely done Romano. Warm regards Rosemary
emka (86577) 2014-02-17 23:39
Fantastic composition with the columns of antique ruins and the dome of the synagogue. Such views only possible in Rome. And what a light you had! Marvelous shot. It is a year since my visit to Rome, time flies..
Warm regrads MAlgo
Nicou (130203) 2014-02-18 1:03
Vraiment merveilleux ces tons doux ce jeu d'éclairage sueprbe site archéologique et rendu sur les pierres ces colonne et la coupole éclairée et mis en valeur splendide.
Bravo et amitié
Subhogen (4067) 2014-02-18 1:44
Wow! what a lovely view of grand architecture depicting the rich cultural history of this place. Love the partial illumination by the beautiful golden light. Fantastic photo with superb light and great clarity. Very well done and thanks for sharing.
timecapturer (49288) 2014-02-18 1:57
another beauty of a shot with that golden light that just makes these wonderful old antiquities shine so brightly. Amazing POV and architectural wonders that look just captivating. Superb and inspiring imagery!
snunney (90030) 2014-02-18 2:13
The lighting is dramatic and the composition inspired. Superb technical presentation.
Graal (100124) 2014-02-18 3:25
nice series from Roma. Another interesting place here. Good vertical composition, fine warm light also. Well presentation.
Have a nice day.
Kamilutka (8105) 2014-02-18 3:43
very pretty picture with light contrasting with dark elements. The columns on the left counterbalance the tower with lovely copula and together add loads of colors and interest to the composition.
Very good choice of vertical format and well executed.
Thanks for sharing this pretty picture.
Corry (4508) 2014-02-18 5:34
J'aime beaucoup cette photo où la lumière dorée éclaire le bâtiment et les colonnes antiques. Belle composition. Bien fait.
claudeD (35519) 2014-02-18 6:26
very fine picture showing this architecture under perfect rays of the evening sun. Excellent clarity and sharpness. Very well done.I like the view very much.TFS.
With regards from Luxembourg
mesutilgim (89140) 2014-02-18 9:40
Another topclass capture from Rome with perfect pov and most important with a nice warm light ; almost a divinal light. Many interesting notes makes your entry a perfect TE entry.
TFS and best regards
krzychu30 (15510) 2014-02-18 13:30
I think the light is the factor,which makes this view so spectacular.Of course the beauty of the architecture is undeniable,but this warm,soft light helps you to create so pleasant and "warm" atmosphere over this part of the city.
clic (16088) 2014-02-18 14:29
Abundant interesting informations seen in your note under the picture!
The last sun rays enlight beautifully of golden tones those historic buildings that, revalued by such appealing makeup, intend to stand proudly for many centuries ahead!
Thanks for showing such a lovely 'inspiration' of yours!
Royaldevon (33387) 2014-02-18 14:29
Ciao Caro Romano,
You have some outstanding ancient (the tall columns) and more recent (the synagogue) architecture in your photograph. It is amazing how each has been illuminated with the low sun, making it stand out visually from the surrounding shade.
A delightful composition, using the two verticals as the f/g and b/g focal images, adds strength to the scene.
My warm regards,
Gigidusud (18065) 2014-02-20 5:15
Tu sei l'esperto per catturare delle belle architetture illuminate da luci sublimi. Questa non fa eccezione, è fantastica!
Un caro saluto.
Cricri (111485) 2014-02-20 6:21
Un cadrage bien penser sur la synagogue avec les colonnes du temple entre ombre et lumière, bon moment capturer et réaliser
PaulVDV (24431) 2014-02-20 10:53
The sun in a low position illuminates just the top of the columns and the chapiter of the ruins and behind it the upper part of the synagogue. But the golden colours make this shot so wonderful, even spectacular.
Furthermore, the architectural details are shown very precise and sharp.
Best regards, Paul
ACL1978 (7511) 2014-02-21 7:18
Romano - thanks for the shot and the history lesson. I was unaware of the fascinating history of Rome's Jewish population. Seeing past and present next to one another in this well lit shot works very well. Thanks!
wolf38 (31284) 2014-02-23 0:37
Hello Romano. A interessanters photo in which the light plays a special role.
The composition also like it very much. The very informative and instructive text completes this post. Overall, a good photo for TE.
mkamionka (32521) 2014-02-25 7:15
I am sorry I am not active on TE enough to comment on all your wonderful photos. Your reportage from Rome is just beautiful. You have famous places and some much less popular, or at least from a very original angle as this one here. Excellent light with some lost rays of sun subtly touching the two structures. You have perfectly balanced the exposure here with the shaded areas well preserving the details and the most interesting fragments beautifully lit in the warm colors.
Real master piece,
Angshu (56592) 2014-02-26 5:09
The light is simply delicious!
You have also got two different ages...the Roman columns and the Synagogue, both illuminated by the beautiful light..
A sublime beauty!
adores (41066) 2014-03-17 16:10
Once again you got a beautiful golden light. A beautiful shot, with a very good composition. I also like the cloudy sky, it makes a nice contrast!
ourania (36472) 2014-03-20 10:39
una bellissima immagine, molto romantica ed atmosferica, che evoca i dipinti nei libri dei viaggiatori-scrittori di due o tre secoli fa. Una foto senza tempo che ci mostra un lato affascinante della splendida Roma. Mi piace molto come la tua composizione ben equilibrata sia in armonia con l' illuminazione particolare che esalta le rovine del tempio antico e la sinagoga imponente. I colori caldi contrastano superbamente con le tonalita' scure. Anche nelle ombre si trovano dei dettagli incantevoli. Complimenti e grazie!
Tanti saluti e buona serata,