Walking through the alleys of Bertinoro in the area of the town that once belonged to the Mainardi family you can leap back in time and find yourself in the Middle Ages, still imagining the people busy in the preparation of the Jewish Passover. In fact, since the14th century the existence of a large and thriving Jewish community is attested, which gave birth to Ovadyah Yare, one of the most famous and authoritative commentators of the Mishna, thecollection of Jewish laws. And Bertinoro's ancient vocation for hospitality is confirmed by rediscovering the evocative traces of this presence .
Jewish Bertinoro
Useful Information
Points of interest
The Giudecca where Ovadyah Yare was born
The district of medieval origin has hosted the large Jewish community of Bertinoro for several centuries, hence the name "Giudecca". But it is also called "Paradise", confirming Bertinoro's ancient vocation for hospitality. Ovadyah Yare was born here, still known today in rabbinic schools as "The Bertinoro" or "The Bartenura", whose story also confirms the presence of a synagogue in this neighbourhood.
Column of the Rings
Hospitality in Bertinoro passes through a gesture of freedom that allows to create a placewhere everyone can find hospitality and where the parties can meet and find a solution to disputes. Thus, hospitality, which in Bertinoro was guaranteed by the Colonna degli Anelli (Column of Hospitality or Column of the Rings), becomes legendary thanks to the account of the peaceful life that the Jewish community spent for two centuries on the slopes of the hillsides of Bertinoro.
Interreligious Museum
An authentic cultural jewel located inside the Castle, the Museum was born from the wish to honour the capacity for the peaceful coexistence and dialogue between Jews and Christians, experienced over the centuries in the town of Bertinoro, and is dedicated to the knowledge of the three monotheistic religions of the Mediterranean. Through ancient objects, the Museum tells about the foundations of Jewish faith too, presenting glimpses of a synagogue and of a Jewish house.
