Visit Venice ghetto is a district reserved for the city's Jewish community.
In this article for Bonjour Venise, I'd like to tell you everything you need to know about this place.
Ghetto Venice: article summary
Why is Venice called a ghetto??
As early as the 10th century, written records mention a Jewish community in Venice. They were allowed to live in the city, but were restricted to activities selected by the government.
Most community members worked as pawnbrokers or used-clothing salesmen.
As early as 1215, at the famous Lateran Council held in Rome, the case of the Jewish community is mentioned.
But Jews and their financial lending activities became essential to Venice in the 16th century, as the city lost some of its lustre.
Gradually, the Jewish community grew and the Jewish quarter expanded, divided between the Ghetto Vecchio (1541) and the Ghetto Nuovo (1633). Around 5,000 Jews lived in this Cannaregio.
What is the origin of the word ghetto??
Venice's Ghetto was the first neighborhood in Europe to be so named. Subsequently, other districts of this type are appearing in Europe.
Its etymology is not yet proven, as two hypotheses share its origin and seem to be intertwined:
- The origin comes from the Venetian dialect and the word ghetto for foundry. The district was originally devoted to copper working
- In Hebrew, ghet refers to divorce or repudiation.
The combination of these terms seems to have given rise to the word ghetto. in the sense in which it is used today.
Who lives in Venice's ghetto today?
Today, around 30 of the remaining 450 members of the Jewish community live in the former Venice ghetto. This represents only a dozen households.
The recent renovation of buildings and cultural events linked to Jewish culture on the part of the community, keep the tradition alive.
What can you see in the Venice Ghetto?
The Venice Ghetto and many of its buildings have been destroyed over time. But many traces of the past and present Jewish presence remain.
For the record, this is where you'll find the tallest buildings in Venice, for a very simple reason. The Jews were not allowed to build in the area, so as not to spread out, so they built high up!
Venice ghetto: places not to be missed
As in all Venetian neighborhoods, there's plenty to do in the Venice Ghetto.
Snacking in cafés and restaurants
As you enter Venice's ancient ghetto, it won't be long before you're smelling the delicious aromas of Jewish cuisine.
You can try it in one of the street-side restaurants, such as Gam Gam Kosher or in one of our traditional patisseries!
Contemplating the Piazza del Ghetto Nuovo
This is the main square in the Jewish Quarter. Here you'll find the Holocaust memorial and the scuolas Spagnola and Levantina.
You can see where the gates used to close the ghetto at night. This is one of the must-see places in the neighborhood. This place represents almost the entire history of the Jewish Quarter.
Venice Ghetto: learn more at the Hebrew Museum
Also in the main square, you can visit the Jewish Museum, which traces the history of the Venetian Jewish community.
It's small, but it's home to treasures that make a tribute to Jewish festivities and traditions.
There are also documents to help us better understand the tribulations of the community in the Serenissima over the course of history.
Admission is not free, and you'll need to pay 12 euros per person to visit the site. The ticket entitles you to enter the surrounding synagogues.
Celebrating Hanukkah
Venice at Christmas offers some of the city's finest views. However, you can change your mood at this time of year through the Venice ghetto celebrating Hanukkah.
The atmosphere becomes more festive and you can discover all the delicacies that are cooked by the Jewish community during these holidays. A great time for anyone visiting Venice in winter!
How to reach the Venice Ghetto?
Venice's Jewish quarter is located in Cannaregio. The main square is Campo del ghetto nuovo.
To join, simply :
- A 10-minute walk from Piazzale Roma or the Santa Lucia station
- Take a vaporettoline 1, 2 and 3 to San Marcuola stop
- Using a water cab
As I often remind you on Bonjour Venise, if you plan to take the vaporetti in Venice, think about the Vaporetto Pass, which allows you to take them unlimited and save a lot of money!
Venice's ghetto is a place that can quickly make you feel out of place. You'll spend in a neighborhood that's different from the rest of the city.
What to do in Venice in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special Venice guide.
It's free and in PDF format.
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