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Vico Giudea in Itri: the last traces of a hidden community
In the historic centre of Itri, Vico Giudea is a narrow lane standing at the foot of the medieval castle. It was where the local Jewish community used to live: not a formal ghetto, but rather a separate living space, where Jewish residents lived amongst themselves, apart from the Christian population. There was no synagogue; the community was too small. Instead, they gathered for prayer in the home of the rabbi or the most senior member.
Traces of the past
At the entrance to the lane, an alabaster step with a central hole is still visible. It probably held an iron rod, the base for a grille (or gate) that closed off the passage at night. Opposite lies Vico Uso: according to local tradition, this was the center of the community’s trade, primarily for the sale of used fabrics (hence the name Uso).
What remains today
Very few traces of the Jewish quarter remain today. There are no identifiable buildings or inscriptions. Only the names of these two alleyways still carry the memory of those who once lived there.
