In this article, I present Venice's Jewish quarterEurope's first ghetto.
Here you'll find
- A presentation of Venice's Jewish quarter
- Things to see and do in Cannaregio
- Easy access to the Jewish ghetto in Venice
- Practical information to make the most of your visit
- And much more!
If you're looking for information about Venice's Jewish quarter, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
Venice's Jewish Quarter: article summary
Venice's Jewish Quarter: discovering Europe's first ghetto
Venice's Jewish quarter is located to the northwest of the historic center, in the sestiere (district) of Cannaregio. It's a peaceful area, all too often forgotten by tourists, that I strongly recommend you visit. visit during your stay in the Serenissima.
And that's where the Jewish ghettothe first in Europe, which gave its name to all the others.
Indeed, etymologically, Ghetto comes from the Venetian word getto or gheto and means foundry. In the neighborhood, there was a foundry that closed and was moved to Venice Arsenaljust before the Jewish community settled here.
A brief history of Venice's Jewish quarter
If the idea of park the Jews in separate quarters emerged as early as the 13th century. 1516 that the Senate of the Republic of Venice decided to create the Jewish ghetto in Cannareggio.
The choice of the area is not insignificant, since it's the only neighborhood without Christian churches, and above all, because the gates built at the ends of the area make it possible to closing the ghetto at night.
Venice's Jewish community is both respected and feared. Many Jews had fled persecution in Spain and found refuge in the Serenissima. They practiced commerce, but also pawnbroking and usury, activities forbidden to Catholics.
In fact, a certain hostility was felt towards this population, and the ghetto's function would be both to concentrating the Jewish community and protect it.
A situation that lasted until the arrival of Napoleon Bonaparte July 7, 1797A population of 1,600 souls was liberated. Many later fled the ghetto during the Nazi occupation, and today there are some 450 members of the Venetian Jewish community in the city, with a small number still living in Cannaregio.
Facts and anecdotes about the Jewish ghetto in Venice
- At its peak, Venice's Jewish quarter numbered about 5,000 people (in the 17th century)
- Visit Venetian Jews were allowed to attend the University of Paduaone of the oldest in the world, which has helped to develop culture in this ghetto.
- Over time, the neighborhood grew and traces of the old ghetto, new ghetto and ghetto nuovissimo, the most recent part, dating from the 17th century
- The buildings are taller than anywhere else in Venice, reaching up to 8 stories, for one simple reason: it was building ban new buildings, so the locals were adding storeys!
Cannaregio, Venice's Jewish quarter: monuments and sights not to be missed
If the Cannaregio district is a pleasant place to stroll for its peaceful atmosphere and its many unusual placesa simple visit to the Jewish ghetto will already be highly instructive.
Here's what you'll find!
Ghetto Nuovo square
The the central square of Venice's Jewish quarter, with its tall buildings, bars and cafés. You'll see commemorative plaques recalling the atrocities of history and the Shoah memorial.
This is also where you'll find the hebrew museum (Museo della Communità Ebraica), where you can learn a great deal about the history of the neighborhood and the trials and tribulations of the Jewish community in Venice, through texts, objects and personal accounts.
Admission costs 12 euros full price and includes guided tours of two synagogues, which I present below.
Synagogues
You can still see 5 synagogues in the Jewish quarter of Venice (of the 9 initially present) and 2 of them can be visited with a guide: La Schola Levantina and La Schola Spagnola.
The latter was founded in 1555 by Jews from Spain and restored in Baroque style in 1635. The visit is very interesting, both for the history of these places of worship and for the refined decorations they contain.
Hanukkah celebrations
If you go through Venice in winterI recommend a detour to the Jewish Quarter to enjoy the illuminations and celebrations organized to mark Hanukkah. It's a real change of scenery, as it contrasts with the Catholic Venice of the past. Christmas decorations !
How to reach Venice's Jewish Quarter easily?
Venice's Jewish quarter is Cannaregio. Its focal point is its Campo del ghetto nuovolocated at the following address Campo del ghetto nuovo, 30100 Venice
To join, simply :
- 10-minute walk from Santa Lucia station or from the Piazzale Roma
- Borrow a vaporettolines 1, 2 and 3 / N at night to San Marcuola stop
- Using a water cab
Good to know If you plan to take the vaporetti in Venice, think of the Vaporetto Pass which allows you to take them unlimited and save big!
Venice's Jewish Quarter: why visit?
Visiting Venice's Jewish Quarter is an excellent ideafor a number of reasons.
The first is its small sizeIt's the perfect place for a quick stroll through Cannaregio. As this sestiere has plenty to offer, so why not take the opportunity to discover the Jewish ghetto?
Secondly, it's a must-see for fans of history and culture. You'll learn a lot about the Jewish community and its importance in Venice. As well as its evolution over time and its current status.
A reminder that's never too much to ask, and which could be a good opportunity to familiarize a child with certain dark periods in recent history.
Finally, you'll find Jewish restaurants and pastry shopsto taste some amazing preparations! Something for everyone, between two Venetian restaurants !
What to see and do in the area?
In the surrounding area, without even leaving the Cannaregio district, you can see :
- Visit Ponte delle Guglie (Bridge of arrows) with its gargoyles, which allows you to cross the canal
- Visit Tintoretto Housewhere one of the most famous Venetian painters spent a large part of his life.
- The palace Ca' d'Oroone of the wonders of Venice, which you can discover by taking a trip on the Venice Grand Canal !
What to do in Venice in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
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