The 18th century

In 1719 Charles VI proclaims the opening of the free port of Trieste in order to promote and increase commercial traffic and encourage foreign merchants to settle. Soon Jewish merchants from the Venetian area, the Marche and Eastern countries come to live in Trieste, attracted by the freedom and privileges Trieste granted to members of all religions and nationalities.

Thus Jewish population amounts to about 900 persons and in 1746 they become a proper community observing precise rules.

In 1748 the first Synagogue of the German rite is opened, situated at the end of Via delle Beccherie, replacing the private synagogues used by the single families up to that time.

In 1753 Empress Maria Teresa of Austria grants permission to a number of rich Jewish families to live outside the ghetto in order to support  economic politics of the state.

In 1771 Maria Teresa bestows two sovereign licences on the Jewish population of Trieste, lifting the obligation to wear the distinctive yellow badge and abolishing the tax on the person (Leibsteuer) which every Jew had to pay to be admitted to another town.

The 1781 Edict of Tolerance of Joseph II puts an end to Jewish segregation. Jews are allowed to be active in the Stock Exchange, join professions from which they were formerly  banned and they are admitted to university.

In 1785 segregation is definitely abolished and Jews are free to choose their living quarters in town.

In 1810 religious and civil equality of all citizens is proclaimed marking the end of discrimination of Jews.