Sinagoga

via Milano, 7 - 15121 Alessandria (AL)
http://torinoebraica.it/turismo/#siti

The Synagogue is the heart of the ancient Jewish district. The presence of the Jewish community in the city has been documented since the 16th century and historically concentrated in several neighborhoods of the old city centre, which are characterized by fragmented housing lots of an elongated shape.
The Synagogue of Alessandria was completed between 1867 and 1871 based on the design of the architect Giovanni Roveda and is the result of the transformation of a former building in the heart of the former ghetto (between the current vie Migliara, dei Martiri, Vochieri and Milano). Like in many other cities, the Community wanted to celebrate the Emancipation of 1848 by building a new monumental temple, symbol of integration in the local society. It is an eclectic architecture with neo-Gothic influences, especially in the imposing facade marked by arch windows and crowned by pinnacles. The interior of the hall, located on the first floor, is inspired by the model of the Christian churches, with Tevah and Aron Hakodesh associated in the same space and seats for the public oriented towards them. On the short sides, two orders of loggias defined by slender columns: along the entrance wall the women's gallery and, around the large niche of the Aron Hakodesh, the choir and the harmonium.
Following the Nazi devastation in 1944, the furnishings of the Synagogue were destroyed or stolen. After the war, they were replaced with those from the dismantled Synagogues of Nizza Monferrato and Acqui Terme. On the ground floor a second small synagogue, for use on Saturdays and on weekdays.
The flood which struck Alessandria in 1994 also damaged the Synagogue, but with patient and detailed work of redevelopment and re-qualification completed in 2022, finally the Synagogue of Alessandria can return to use and represent in its beauty and specific nature, one of the most significant monuments of the centre of Alessandria and of the historical presence of Jews in Piedmont.

The synagogue is currently open to visitors during events and exhibitions, or by appointment: www.torinoebraica.it/turismo/.