1502

Asher Lemmlin, a young Jewish student of the Kabala, came to believe that he was the Prophet Elijah whose task it was to announce the imminent arrival of the messiah. He attracted a loyal following, including those who felt that Lemmlin himself was the Promised One.

1524

A young Jewish dwarf named David Reuveni appeared in town. He announced that he was the brother of the King of the Tribe of Reuben, the commander of an army of Jewish warriors in Arabia. He had come to solicit the Pope's support for a Jewish crusade against the infidel Turks.

1592

Giordano Bruno was lured here by a nobleman who wanted to learn memory techniques. Bruno was turned over to the Inquisition, accused of heresy and thrown into jail. He was finally taken to Rome for execution.

1630

The city's Jews were forced to attend Christian sermons that were intended to convert them.

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