While the papacy through the bull Cum nimis absurdum called for establishment of a ghetto in 1555, only during the regency (1658 – 1662) of Duchess Laura Martinozzi, Duke Alfonso IV d'Este's widow, was this rule was enforced in Reggio.

From there on, Jews had to live within the boundaries of the streets San Rocco, Caggiati, della Volta, dell'Aquila, and Monzermone.

The Napoleonic government abolished the laws restricting Jews to living inside the Ghetto.

The Jewish community of Reggio itself was decimated by the Italian Fascist government, the second world war, and the Holocaust.

The furniture and the beautiful carved marble Torah ark were transferred to the synagogue Kirit Shmu ‘el in Haifa.