Jun 2, 2011

A walk in the Jewish quarter

One of my favorite parts of the city is the Jewish Quarter of Rome.

I always enter from here, off the Piazza Mattei, through...
the Bernini–attributed turtle fountain

...a narrow and cobblestone-paved side street called Via della Reginella.
via della Reginella in the Jewish Quarter of Rome

Always stopping to glimpse at the Judaica on the corner...
Jewish Quarter of Rome, the oldest in Western Europe

...and landing at my sanctuary, Boccione–the neighborhood bakery.
Boccione bakery in the Jewish Quarter of Rome

It smells wonderful in here, all day long.

After some small talk with one of the signoras that work the counter, I walk out with a pocketful of almond-cinnamon biscottini, and a big smile on my face.

Are you familiar with this part of Rome?

32 comments:

  1. Wow, this area looks so interesting, and those biscottini, oh my goodness!! YUM!

    ciao, bella....

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  2. Yes! My husband and I walked around this part of Rome, not too far from Campo de Fiori where we ere staying. I loved it. We had a meal at a kosher restaurant and it was great.

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  3. No. But, I can see why a regular visit to this shop can be addictive.

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  4. We are familiar. . . thanks to you! I can still taste the fried artichoke.

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  5. Yes, I am...I had an amazing dinner while I was there. Great part of the city.

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  6. Thanks for sharing those pictures with us! Very interesting, especially the Judaica.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  7. Ah, I love your photos......I love Rome.....wish I could tag along with you. It all looks so wonderful

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  8. Fabulous! Amazing how enjoyable the "ghettos" in Italy can be =)

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  9. Love, love, love your blog!!! What a interesting post!! Keep them coming!

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  10. Hi Eleonora, we had a wonderful tour of this very special part of Rome with you on Easter Monday. There was something very solemn and dignified about the area. Unfortunately we never made it back for the recommended stuffed artichokes but will make it a point the next time we are in Rome!! Hope all is well with you and your bambino!! Ciao, bella xxoo

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  11. purtroppo no, dato che sono stata a Roma pochissime volte! vorrei tanto eprdermi in quelle stradine!!! Che bella é Roma!

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  12. I haven't been to Rome since 1967. Definitely due for a return trip. Your photos are wonderful and bring back some very fond memories.

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  13. There is so much soul in these little pockets of our wonderful towns of Italy. Thank you for sharing! Christine

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  14. I am only familiar with the Jewish Ghetto from books, magazines and blogs. Intend to make sure I walk through there in September. You gave me such a sweet taste!

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  15. Had one of the best dinners ever in the Jewish ghetto. No menus and no english they just kept bringing us food until we couldn't eat anymore...they wrote up our bill (which was so cheap) right on the table paper.

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  16. Piazza Mattei is my favorite spot in Roma. There is a photography shop on Via della Reginella, just off the piazza, that I rather fancy. Beautiful photographs. Brings back great memories!

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  17. Yum Yum Yum... the photographs and the bakery. I felt like I was there and I want to be.

    Lovely post x

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  18. We're looking forward to spending a week in that neighborhood in July, when we'll be attending a wedding at the synagog. Can't wait! Any restaurant recommendations would be welcome.

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  19. ** sigh ** I have to add Italy (and Rome) to my Bucket List

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  20. Wow I need to add this to my list of places to check out when we are in Rome! Looks beautiful. :)

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  21. Che Bella che è, Roma!!!!
    Splendide le tue foto!
    Brava!

    Elisa

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  22. Fabiana~
    The biscottini and pizza ebraica are unique!!

    Kerry~
    I'm glad you enjoyed it, I wish I could live there!!

    Rosaria~
    Truly habit-forming!

    Jake~
    We had a great time indeed!

    Melissa~
    Great minds think alike ;)

    Rosa~
    I'm happy you enjoy the little details too. I love them dearly.

    Lo~
    This makes me very proud and happy! please come visit!!

    Vita Saporita~
    Now yes, but for 300 years between 1555 and the late 1800s it definitely was not!! Now it's glorious!! :)

    Stacey~
    Aw, thank you!! I will!!

    AnnMarie~
    Thank you dear friend. Remember, artichoke season is Feb-May!!

    Colores~
    Devi venire allora, e farti guidare nei meandri segreti di questa città eterna!

    Sandy~
    That is exactly why I post, to stir up emotions and memories. Come back soon!

    Christy~
    Thank YOU for your kind comment!!

    Claudia~
    All history and charm aside, it's a definite must on any food-lovers' itinerary.

    Theresa~
    That's typical of family run trattorie. I love the simplicity and laid back atmosphere of this area.

    Anonymous~
    I love that shop! There's a chair in the street just outside the shop with a huge painted rock on it. It's the owners' and he keeps it occupied that way!

    Robyn~
    Thank you sweet friend, I wish you were!

    Isabelle~
    Email me and I'll be sure to give you a list of restaurants in the area!!

    Janet~
    You do, and when you come I'll be here with open arms!

    Rach~
    It is, and such strong sense of community. I love it.

    Massaia Canterina~
    Grazie! Io però mi chiamo Eleonora!

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  23. Yes, yes, I am familiar with that part of Rome. I used to walk it nearly every day and the photo of the frames hanging on the doorway bring back lots of memories. I'll be there soon for a visit and can't wait to see that fountain again. It's one of my very favorites in the city.

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  24. I wish I was familiar with this area of Rome! We didn't have enough time but next visit for sure. The bakery looks very enticing and the old Jewish relics on the wall look so inspiring.

    The Wanderfull Traveler
    canadianculinarytravel.blogspot.com

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  25. I so enjoy exploring Roma through your camera lens.

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  26. I am not familiar with it. How have I missed it? Will have to make up for this egregious oversight next time I'm in town!

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  27. thanks for that beautiful trip!
    I loved!!!

    greetings from Spain,
    elena

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  28. I love Rome and love going back for a visit every now and then. I stumbled past that fountain last year, didn't notice that bakery but it's a good excuse for me to go there again.

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  29. I think I had lunch with Eleonora the day after Frog Hollow Farm Girl's tour.

    The whole area a few blocks off the river is a walking area.

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  30. CCLinda~
    It's one of my favorites too. Especially since it was boarded up for renovation for so long! Finally visible again!! Looking forward to meeting!

    Murissa~
    I hope you make it back here, the biscottini alone are worth the trip!

    LindyLM~
    Aw, thank you! I brought a little bit of Roma Every Day flavor to this site :)

    Saretta~
    Oh, you absolutely have to come visit this place, it's the REAL Rome. You'll love it!

    Elena~
    ¡Gracias! Come back soon :)

    Denise~
    Definitely a good excuse, and there's a lot more besides the bakery in terms of food magnets!! ;)

    Jeff~
    It was indeed! And both brought me such wonderful, tasty treats!! I'm so lucky...

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  31. I know this neighbourhood, it's Tratsevere isn't it! It was one of my best memories of Rome (: lovely photos, and lovely blog!

    http://mummyicancook.blogspot.com/2011/06/when-in-rome-eat-as-romans-eat.html

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  32. Shu Han~
    Thank you! This neighborhood is located across the river from Trastevere and is actually called the Jewish ghetto, like in the title of this post.

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