Jewish Museum Lecce
Jewish Museum Lecce
4.5
Speciality MuseumsHistory Museums
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
About
The museum is located in a medieval building, which now presents itself as a late 16th – 17th century palazzo. It encompasses the remains of a 15th century synagogue, which was right in the centre of the Jewish district in Lecce. Visitors to the museum can see the pools that in all likelihood were once used for ritual bathing (mikwa’ot), the doorpost groove that housed the sacred parchment with religious verses from the Scriptures (mezuzah), as well as significant remains of the church that later partially incorporated the earlier synagogue. Visitors are invited to follow the threads linking the Jewish presence in Lecce from the Middle Ages to the present; the legacy of Apulian Judaism visible within other communities of the diaspora, as well as the threads linking Judaism with other faith communities in and around Lecce. We also provide themed tours for tourists interested in discovering the history of the Jewish presence in Apulia.
Duration: < 1 hour
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  • eatlocal1ofakind
    Minneapolis, Minnesota742 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must if you care about Jewish history in Italy
    We went to the English tour of this unique museum and were amazed at what we learned about the Jewish history in Italy. A big thank you to the family that provided the funding to tell the story and curate the exhibits. I am sure most people pass this museum by. Do Not! worth every bit of the 9 euros and 30 minutes.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 17 September 2023
  • MLWeber
    Sacramento, California42 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great introduction to Jewish life in the Salento
    The other reviewers have captured much of what makes a visit to this museum so worthwhile. We would add only two things. The museum provides some information about a little known effort by communities in the far south of Salento to provide temporary housing for Jewish refugees after World War II, who were waiting to find other homes. The generosity of the residents of Leuca, for example, was extraordinary given all that they themselves had been through. The second piece is the story of how the museum got started with the inspration and dedicatin of a few individuals. You can learn more about that story by visiting the museum.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 19 December 2023
  • Jon M
    Montreal, Canada7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A moving glimpse into Lecce’s Jewish past
    A very moving experience. A small but impactful museum made possible by the efforts of local and visiting families. A glimpse into the forgotten history of the Jews of Lecce and Salento. Well worth the visit.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 7 January 2024
  • Bill S
    37 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth a visit!
    Small but terrific, very moving museum (and optional walking tour) that gives you a good sense of the rich history of long-gone Jewish Lecce. Our guide, Martina, was a delight and really knew her history. Worth a visit and lending your support as the Museum seeks to expand its work and collections.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 15 January 2024
  • Kate S
    10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must stop when you visit Lecce!
    Whilst visiting the Basilica Do Santa Croce we found Museo Ebraico, The Jewish Museum. We took the 20 minute guided tour for 9 euro each and learnt and incredible amount of history about the Jewish people in Lecce from the 1400s to post World War 2. Claudia was an incredible and well researched guide and answered our many questions. The aretfacts, videos and AI within the mueseum take you back to a time that cannot be seen in the walls today, and very kindly, Clauda walked us around the surrounding area so that we could feel the space and build connections to what we saw in the video. A must stop when you visit Lecce!
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 25 March 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles275 reviews
Excellent
211
Very good
47
Average
10
Poor
4
Terrible
3

Steve H
Budapest, Hungary33 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022
Reducing prices to make this experience more accessible.
€38 per person for a guided tour around the tiny Jewish quarter is daylight robbery and means that pensioners like me have no chance to visit other than googling for info before visiting.
The museum itself costs €9 per person for a tour, one cannot simply wander around at one's own speed. This too is super expensive if you consider that that many of the world's great museums are free!
Very disappointing. But of course if you have €100k you can become a platinum supporter. I think this museum needs to review its raison d'etre.
Written 25 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mznw3
London, UK92 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020 • Couples
We found the tour of the Jewish Museum both fascinating and moving, with Claudia, our guide, explaining the hidden history of the Jews in Lecce and the south of Italy. We particularly enjoyed the sense that there was still a lot to be learnt, and were encouraged by the commitment shown by those who had set up the museum to try and learn about this submerged (in many senses) aspect of Lecce’s past, which tends to read as if nothing happened between the Romans and the Baroque. Definitely recommended.
Written 8 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Madam, we would like to thank you very much for your review. It was very kind of you to take the time to post it. We are happy that you enjoyed your visit! Best regards, Jewish Museum Lecce
Written 9 October 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Kate S
10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
Whilst visiting the Basilica Do Santa Croce we found Museo Ebraico, The Jewish Museum. We took the 20 minute guided tour for 9 euro each and learnt and incredible amount of history about the Jewish people in Lecce from the 1400s to post World War 2. Claudia was an incredible and well researched guide and answered our many questions. The aretfacts, videos and AI within the mueseum take you back to a time that cannot be seen in the walls today, and very kindly, Clauda walked us around the surrounding area so that we could feel the space and build connections to what we saw in the video. A must stop when you visit Lecce!
Written 25 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Laurene M
San Francisco, CA388 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
A tour is required at this museum but afterwards, visitors can spend more time looking at the exhibits which focus on the Community during World War II and after when many tried to leave for Israel. Italians were oftentimes helpful in getting survivors of the War, to Israel. Earlier in the history, many Jews were successful merchants.
Written 12 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

eatlocal1ofakind
Minneapolis, MN742 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
We went to the English tour of this unique museum and were amazed at what we learned about the Jewish history in Italy. A big thank you to the family that provided the funding to tell the story and curate the exhibits. I am sure most people pass this museum by. Do Not! worth every bit of the 9 euros and 30 minutes.
Written 17 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bng72021
London, UK26 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022
Not much in the way of artefacts from Lecce's ancient jewish community.However the photographic exhibition of the displacement persons camps in Southern Italy was interesting.A guided tour was really not necessary, but I guess they have to warrant the 9 euro charge for entry. A mezuzah niche on a doorway, and the sight of what may have been a mikveh was shown to us. Worth a visit though to support them
Written 30 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MLWeber
Sacramento, CA42 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
The other reviewers have captured much of what makes a visit to this museum so worthwhile. We would add only two things. The museum provides some information about a little known effort by communities in the far south of Salento to provide temporary housing for Jewish refugees after World War II, who were waiting to find other homes. The generosity of the residents of Leuca, for example, was extraordinary given all that they themselves had been through. The second piece is the story of how the museum got started with the inspration and dedicatin of a few individuals. You can learn more about that story by visiting the museum.
Written 19 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jon M
Montreal, Canada7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Family
A very moving experience. A small but impactful museum made possible by the efforts of local and visiting families. A glimpse into the forgotten history of the Jews of Lecce and Salento. Well worth the visit.
Written 7 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bill S
37 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
Small but terrific, very moving museum (and optional walking tour) that gives you a good sense of the rich history of long-gone Jewish Lecce. Our guide, Martina, was a delight and really knew her history. Worth a visit and lending your support as the Museum seeks to expand its work and collections.
Written 15 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stephen K
Montpelier, VT59 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021 • Couples
We visited the museum and went on a short tour. It was nine dollars per person including the tour. It was a wonderful museum and I’m very glad we found it. Thank you to the people who set it up it is a Good thing for Lecce and for visitors.
Written 31 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Sir, we would like to thank you very much for your review. It was very kind of you to take the time to post it. We are happy that you enjoyed your visit! Best regards, Jewish Museum Lecce
Written 2 February 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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JEWISH MUSEUM LECCE (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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