Synagogue of Turin

After regaining their civil rights in the Kingdom of Sardinia through the institution of the Albertine Statute in 1848, the Jewish community wished to build a synagogue in Turin, in order to establish their presence in the Kingdom's capital.[2][3] In 1859 the community tasked architect Alessandro Antonelli to build what would be their future temple, and works started swiftly.[1] In 1875 it became clear that the architect's vision was beyond the scope, size, and budget of the community. For this reason, they chose to sell the half-completed building to the city in exchange for a sum of money and the land upon which the current-day synagogue stands.[2][1] The building sold by the community would eventually become known as Mole Antonelliana.[3] In 1880 architect Enrico Petiti started works for the present-day Moorish-style synagogue, was completed in 1884.[4]

On November 20, 1942, Allied bombardments on the city completely destroyed the synagogue, with the exception of the exterior walls.[1] It was rebuilt between 1945 and 1949 to its current status.[2]