La Cuccagna Festa Data Dagli Ebrei.

(ITALY)

Pazzini Carli

Siena

1791

Text in Italian. Printer’s device on title.

Issued to commemorate a celebratory feast given by the Jews of Siena on the occasion of a visit to the community by the Duke of Tuscany. Siena, located in the Chianti Hills, is known for its rich artistic heritage, where a Jewish community had been established as early as 1229. By the end of the 18th century various social restrictions on the Jews began to be eased and in 1786, a new synagogue was built. Jews were given full emancipation in March 1799, when Napoleon’s troops occupied the town. However in June 1799, rioters ransacked and burned the ghetto, killing 19 Jews. This event is commemorated by a fast every year by the Jews of Siena. Following the violence, many Jews left Siena and the size of the community rapidly decreased never to fully re-establish itself.