Ferrara is the custodian of an extraordinarily rich and complex Jewish history, which has its roots in the 13th century and continues to leave an indelible mark on the city’s urban and cultural fabric. The Jewish presence in Ferrara has been continuously attested since the Middle Ages, and its Jewish community is still one of the oldest and most influential in Italy.

The golden age was experienced during the Este duchy, when the Este court, and in particular the dukes Ercole I and Ercole II, distinguished themselves by a magnanimous welcoming policy, offering refuge to numerous Jewish intellectuals, especially those fleeing from Spain in 1492. This period was marked by a fruitful cultural dialogue between Jews and the majority Christian culture.