The Synagogue of Sabbioneta (Italian: Sinagoga di Sabbioneta) is a Jewish synagogue located in Sabbioneta, Italy. It is no longer active and serves as a museum.
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History
A project to build the synagogue began in 1821 by the town's Jewish community to mark autonomy from the one in Mantua. Sabbioneta did not have a Jewish ghetto, and therefore had no set obligtion to build in a certain area of the city. It was decided to build within the wing of a 16th-century building rented out by its owner, Salomone Forti, at the location of a former oratory. The project was headed by Carlo Visoli, architect of the Synagogue of Viadana. Construction was completed in 1824.
In the 20th century, the synagogue experienced a long period of abandonment. The hall became dilapidated and the interior became unsafe. Some of the original furnishings were transferred to Modena, and others to Israel. The ark from the 16-century, which was located in the congregation's previous synagogue, has been in the Strauss House near the Western Wall since 1970.
In 1994, recognizing the need for repairs, the building began a period of restoration by the superintendent of Cultural and Architectural Heritage of Brescia, funded by grassroots organizations in Sabbioneta. The synagogue has been restored to its original condition and has become, in part, a museum for visitors. It is co-managed by the Jewish community of Mantua and an organization in Sabbioneta. It was further damaged in the 2012 Northern Italy earthquakes, and was subsequently repaired. It currently is a museum.