Norsa-Torrazzo Synagogue

There were six synagogues in the Mantua ghetto between the 17^th and 19^th centuries: three Italian ritual synagogues (called Scuola Grande, Cases and Norsa-Torrazzo), and three German ritual ones (Scuola Beccheria, Ostiglia and Porto). None of them was saved when the area was completely razed and rebuilt, starting in the early 20^th century. Many of the furnishings, of outstanding artistic merit, were donated to other Communities, particularly in Israel. Only the Norsa-Torrazzo synagogue, thus named after the old Mantuan-Jewish family who had it built, was faithfully reconstructed in what is now the Community’s headquarters at 13, Via Govi. It was erected on its original site in the 16^th century, was ruined in 1630 and rebuilt in 1751. The 18^th century configuration has been reproduced by relocating all of its furniture, doors, windows and original flooring to the new site, and replicating each and every stucco moulding by painstakingly making casts from the original interiors.