After all the synagogues I’ve visited, the Great Synagogue of Florence is definitely the most beautiful. Our tour guide explained the background of the construction of the synagogue and why they chose to design it how they did. I suppose it is the only orthodox and oldest synagogue I’ve been inside, so the time period in which it was built explains the amount of decoration. I thought it was so unique and different to what I’m used to seeing for synagogues in the United States. There was also a museum that had Torah decorations, yadayim, and even an open Torah scroll that was damaged in a flood. Since the only decorated houses of worship I’ve seen so far were cathedrals, it was really special to see such a magnificent synagogue.
Jacob's Study Abroad in Italy 