The Jewish Cemetery in Correggio: memory, identity and cultural heritage
An atmospheric setting telling the story of over five centuries of Jewish history in Correggio
The Jewish Cemetery of Correggio is an intimate and evocative landmark that speaks to the town’s Jewish history through centuries of memory and tradition.
The cemetery visible today dates back to the 19th century and is the third burial ground used by Correggio’s Jewish community.
The earliest evidence of a dedicated Jewish burial site dates to the 15th century, while a second cemetery existed within the city walls by the 17th century.
The construction of the current cemetery followed a decree by the Este Government in 1781, which mandated moving all burial grounds outside the city walls.
The Jewish community initially objected, as religious tradition forbids exhuming or moving human remains.
A compromise allowed them to continue using the old cemetery while securing a new site.
The new cemetery was established on what is now Via Repubblica.
The first burial took place in 1828, and the final one was held in 1958.
Among its most distinctive features is the Jegar Sahadutha, a rare "stone of witness" dedicated to those buried in the ancient cemetery.
It stands as a valuable historic testament, keeping alive the memory of the earlier burial site.
The site preserves 69 gravestones - some in their original positions and others recovered during restoration work in 1997.
It is the final resting place of members of local Jewish families, two rabbis who served the community in the mid-19th century, and two Correggio natives who fought alongside Giuseppe Garibaldi in the Expedition of the Thousand.
An intimate and evocative place where history, memory, and tradition intertwine, offering visitors a valuable testament to the Jewish presence in the Correggio area.
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