National Museum of Italian Judaism and the Holocaust

Present in the city since the 12^th century, Jewish residents had a close relationship with Ferrara, a long period of harmony that was tragically impacted by the racial laws and Nazi and Fascist persecution.

The building housing the museum, not far from Ferrara’s former ghetto, was built in 1912 as a city prison. During German occupation, it was a transit camp for Jews rounded up in and around the city, and a place of detention for Resistance fighters. It continued to be used as a prison until 1992 before being transformed into a museum of Jewish history in 2017.

The National Museum of Italian Judaism and the Holocaust (MEIS) is one of the most important Jewish history museums in Italy. In addition to its permanent exhibition, exhibition events, library, and numerous other activities (such as the annual Jewish Book Festival in Italy), the museum supports other Jewish institutions in Italy that research and collect materials and documents. It is managed by a foundation with the participation of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, the Municipality of Ferrara, the Contemporary Jewish Documentation Centre of Milan, and the Union of Italian Jewish Communities.