In the Ghetto

Tonight before dinner Allison and I took a stroll down the main street of the area known as 'the Ghetto', right across the water from Tiber Island. There are several ancient ruins adjacent to and within the area, including the Theater of Marcellus and environs. I tried to photograph some of these, but our camera doesn't like to take pictures at night, and the camera batteries died soon after anyway. The area today is beautiful and dotted not only with ancient ruins, but medieval ones as well. The area's past, however, is not quite as pleasant as its present manifestation is to pedestrian tourists. It is a deplorable fact of history that from July 25, 1556, all Jews in Rome were forced to live in this area inside a high-walled enclosure. According to the Eyewitness guide to Rome, they were only allowed out during the day. The walls were not torn down until 1848 (Blue Guide).

Many Jews still inhabit the area today, but from what I hear, it is also becoming a rather chic neighborhood in general, and thus very pricey for housing.

We hope to get back there sometime soon in the daylight to take some pictures and explore a little more. If so, we'll then share with you the fruits of our investigation.