Spanish Synagogue (Venice)

The '''Spanish Synagogue''' is one of the two functioning synagogues in the [[Venetian Ghetto]] of [[Venice]], northern [[Italy]]. It is open for services from [[Passover]] until the end of the [[High Holiday]] season. ==History== {{stack|[[Image:SinagogaVe.jpg|thumb|Interior]]}} The Spanish Synagogue was founded by Jews expelled from the [[Iberian peninsula]] in the 1490s who reached Venice, usually via [[Amsterdam]], [[Livorno]] or [[Ferrara]], in the 1550s. The four-story story yellow stone building, designed by architect [[Baldassarre Longhena]] was constructed in 1580 and was restored in 1635. It is a [[clandestine church|clandestine synagogue]], which was tolerated on the condition that it be concealed within a building that gives no appearance being a house of worship form the exterior, although the interior is elaborately decorated. ==Interior== The synagogue’s ornate interior contains three large chandeliers and a dozen smaller ones, as well as a huge sculpted wooden ceiling. ==External links== *[http://www.kiddushinvenice.com/english/Sinagoga%20Spagnola.htm The Spanish Synagogue] {{coord missing|Italy}}