//
St. Anna Church was built between 1246-1247 as a synagogue, known as “Scola Grande”. It was later converted into a Christian Church and entrusted to the Confraternity of St. Anna. Finally, in 2009, the Church became a museum.
Its history is rooted to ancient times, when there was a significant Jewish community in Apulia, mostly composed of traders and farmers. During the early Middle Ages, the Jewish culture experienced an intense growth and several Talmudic schools were established in Apulia. Rabbenu Tam considered them to be very prestigious institutions, declaring that: “For out of Bari goes forth the Law and the word of the Lord from Otranto".
In the 11th century Apulia fell under the rule of the Normans and, after a couple of centuries, to the Swabians, with Frederick II, also known as "Stupor Mundi" (“Wonder of the World”), who protected the Jewish community and gave Jews rights by reason of their presence in politics and their personal history.
The Angioinians, instead, ordered the forced conversion of most Jews to Catholicism and, when Naples and part of Southern Italy fell to the Spanish in 1510, the Jewish community was completely expelled.
The church is located in the local Giudecca and is also close to the city harbour and the Cathedral.
Basilica di San Nicola
This romanic church with a gold ceiling and a crypt contains many medieval attractions, including the magnificent cathedra of Bishop Elias.
Cattedrale di San Sabino
A Roman church even older than St. Nicolas', though later refurbished in baroque style, and equally interesting.
The largest theatre of the city and the fourth Italian theatre by size. Its season feature high quality productions of prose, opera, ballet and classical music.