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Abstract: After giving a general overview of the ghetto phenomenon the article will specifically focus on the Roman ghetto established as a result of the Papal bull Cum nimis absurdum. Promulgated by Pope Paul IV on 14 July 1555, the bull claimed that Catholics and Jews were not equal at all and supposed to live in different spaces as a consequence. Despite any efforts to make the Jews live in seclusion, the Roman Ghetto did not prove to be an autonomous body separated from the rest of the city. Successive policies followed a very different direction. Sixtus IV was more tolerant and open and in 1585 the ghetto’s area was enlarged. The historical evolution of the Jewish community has to be analyzed with constant reference to the ghetto. In line with the demographic, social and economic tendencies of Rome, many buildings were built over 3 centuries, whereas vertical development was the result of the community’s particular needs.