On the Ancient Appian Way, in 291 BC, the Romans defeated the Samnites and founded the colony of Venusia, dedicated to the goddess cherished by the Samnites. In the 3rd century AD, Venosa hosted a significant Jewish community, comprised of large landowners and holders of important commercial monopolies. Although the precise location of the synagogue in the historic center is unknown, the catacombs on the hill of Maddalena represent the oldest and most significant evidence of Jewish presence in Europe. These underground tunnels, frequented from the 3rd to the 7th century AD, contained tombs of various sizes, also dedicated to the burial of fetuses and children. The plastered walls display inscriptions and paintings in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, including a representation of the menorah, a symbol of Jewish culture. In the Roman colony of Venosa, different communities coexisted, including Jews, pagans, and Christians, who lived peacefully together, as evidenced by an inscription on a tomb with the word “Shalom,” inviting peace and coexistence.