Ancient Rome from a Jewish perspective

Dig deep into the heart of the history of ancient Roman civilization and find out how many suggestive Jewish symbols, secrets, and true stories are hidden in each brick surrounding us.

The sites of ancient Rome can be compared to the biggest open-air museum in the world. The Senate, temples, basilicas, famous Via Sacra, and the ancient path for sacrifice procession create a mosaic of ancient history across the city center.

This tour will offer you the possibility of discovering the presence of Jewish culture in ancient Rome. The tour includes a visit to the Roman Forum, Colosseum and Church of St. Pietro in Vincoli, which hosts one of Michelangelo’s most acclaimed masterpieces, the Moses.

The tour kicks off at the Roman Forum where the Arch of Titus is located, a monument which commemorates the victory of Emperors Titus and Vespasian over Judea in 70 AD. The victory resulted in the conquest of Jerusalem and the destruction of its Jewish temple. For centuries, it was the mourning symbol to the Jews, who refused to walk under it until the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. Even up until our present day, many Jews still refuse to walk through the arch and furthermore, many of Roman Jews symbolically walk through it in the opposite direction from that of the ancient conquering Roman army!

After the Arch of Titus, we continue the tour to the architectural wonder of ancient world and universal symbol of Rome.

Officially the Flavian amphitheater, this Roman landmark is more commonly known as the Colosseum. The ancient Romans enjoyed the Ludi games, and it is here where we will relive the saga of ancient gladiators and untangle historical truths and legendary talks!

You will complete the tour by seeing the magnificent Moses by Michelangelo hoisted in the Church of Saint Peter in Vincula (Saint Peter in Chains). The Moses depicts the Prophet holding the Tables of the Law and bearing horns on his head, a symbol of glorification and spiritual enlightenment. Its beauty and emotional power still attracts thousands of visitors and Jewish worshippers. This, and much more to be rumbled in this tour!