Contrada della Torre
Italy
own symbol, normally that of an animal including a snail, rhino and giraffe amongst others. The sense of identity and belonging to ones 'contrada' is extremely important. They are self-contained little worlds with their own church, where newborns are baptised, and a public fountain where the newborns are baptised a second time! Needless to say there are strong rivalries between these districts, that explodes during the Palio horserace held twice a year in Piazza del Campo.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the Contrada della Torre, one of the seventeen historic districts of Siena. Its name, 'The Tower,' is a direct reference to its location in the absolute heart of the city, literally in the shadow of the Palazzo…
Listen in the app2The Hidden Synagogue — An Architectural Mystery
We stand now before a building that, from the outside, appears to be a typical, dignified Sienese palazzo of the neighborhood. This is the Synagogue of Siena, and its exterior lack of religious identifiers is no accident. …
Listen in the app3The Rococo Interior — Stucco and Gold
While the exterior of the synagogue is modest, the interior is a dazzling display of late Rococo artistry. Stepping inside, one is immediately struck by the abundance of stuccos, intricate gold leaf, and a decorative language…
Listen in the app4The Museum of Jewish History in Siena
Adjoining the synagogue is a small but vital museum that meticulously documents the history of the Jewish presence in Siena and the surrounding territory. This institution is essential for understanding the human journey of the…
Listen in the app5A History of Tragedy — The Massacre of 1799
As we walk through the streets of the Torre, we must acknowledge the somber history that occurred just steps from here. One of the most tragic and 'emblematic' episodes in the history of Sienese Jewry took place in the Piazza del…
Listen in the app6Resistance and Protection During the Shoah
The history of the Jewish community in the Contrada della Torre also includes a profound chapter of solidarity and courage during the darkest days of the 20th century. During the Shoah, while many Sienese Jews were tragically…
Listen in the app7The Elephant and the Territory — Symbols of the Torre
To conclude our walk through the 'visible' and 'invisible' layers of this district, let us focus on the identity of the Contrada della Torre itself. The territory is symbolized by an elephant bearing a castle (a tower) on its…
Listen in the app8Closing
Our journey through the Contrada della Torre has taken us from the vibrant surface of Sienese life into the deep, often hidden currents of its Jewish heritage. We have seen how the 'hidden flame' of the community found an…
Listen in the app
What is Contrada della Torre?
Contrada della Torre is a place in Italy with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Italy |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 43.3170, 11.3343 |
| Last updated |
