In 1572 Duke Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy (pictured) invited Levantine Jews and New Christians to settle in Nice (Nizza) to develop Levant trade and to set up textile factories. There was an existing Jewish community of long-standing, but they lived under severe restrictions. The duke’s aim was to establish Nice as a major trading port with the East, perhaps following the example of Venice [217]. Apparently a number of families arrived from Coimbra in Portugal including those of Pablo Hernando, Ruy Lopez, and “Rodriguez”. Phillip II of Spain, Emmanuel Philibert’s enemy who had previously occupied much of Savoy, was furious as he felt Spanish interests were threatened and New Christians would be encouraged to return to Judaism. Spanish pressure forced Savoy to rescinding privileges on 22 November 1573. Those New Christians who had returned to Judiasm were ordered to leave the Duchy within six months. It is possible the decree wasn’t implemented until 1581 when Charles Emmanuel I ordered the expulsion of all Portuguese Jews from the duchy, almost immediately after which a Jewish colony was established in Livorno. Jews from Italy and Holland were reported to have settled in Nice in 1648, followed by refugees from Oran in Algeria in 1669. In 1732 the Jewish community was forced to live in a restricted zone.
It is possible that Savoy may have been more tolerant of Jews than neighbouring jurisdictions such as Genoa, France or Spain.
“As the King of Spain has driven the Jews out of all his Dominions; those that live in full Liberty here [Alessandria in Piedmont, northern Italy], are certainly one of the most notable Things of this Place. Interest is the great Mover of the World, and as Alexandria is a Place that was never well inhabited, a new and abortive Town; they have granted to the Jews Liberty in it, to people it is a little more, and to drive there some small Trade at least. The street where they dwell, is that which makes the best Figure. The Men never let their Beards grow. According to the strictness of the Terms agreed with ‘em, they are forced to distinguish themselves by grey Hats, but the Magistrates are not severe in that Point. The married Women wear very Grotesque Head-dresses, and the Maids or Virgins, wear nothing but their own Hair; that’s their Distinction.”
Maximilien Misson . A new voyage to Italy. 1714. Vol II, Page 380
Prior to 1707, Alessandria had been Milanese territory.