Viareggio Synagogue



The Viareggio Synagogue is a centre for Jewish religious devotions located at Vicolo degli Oleandri 30 (30 Oleander Lane), within the religious oversight of the Jewish Community of Pisa.

History
Between the end of the 19th century and the start of the 20th century, many Jewish families moved to Viareggio, mostly from nearby Leghorn. The scrolls of the Sefer Torah, still preserved in the synagogue at via degli Oleandri, goes back to that period.

In the 'thirties the congregation, made up of 52 families, rented a location in Viareggio's via Fratti, to be set up as a centre for worship. Here, in 1940, forllowing the Fascist race laws, a Jewish school was opened as well. With the Nazi occupation in 1943, school and synagogue ceased to exist.

Only in 1955 was the current synagogue opened, thanks to various private donations.

In Viareggio there is also a small Jewish cemetery.