Though ostracized, Jews were nonetheless safe in Venice, and in the 16th century the community grew considerably, with refugees from the southern and central Italy, Spain and Portugal.
The ghetto was allowed to expand twice, but it still had the city's densest population and consequently ended up with the city's tallest buildings (nine stories).
Although the gates were pulled down after Napoléon's 1797 arrival, the Jews realized full freedom only in the late 19th century with the founding of the Italian state.
The area has Europe's highest density of Renaissance-era synagogues, and visiting them is a unique cross-cultural experience. Though each is marked by the tastes of its individual builders, Venetian influence is evident throughout as some synagogues were decorated by artisans who were simultaneously active in local churches.
Aside from its historic interest, Il Ghetto is also one of the less touristy neighborhoods in Venice and makes for a pleasant and scenic place to stroll.
Venice's first kosher restaurant, Gam Gam, recently opened on Fondamenta di Cannaregio near the entrance to the Jewish Ghetto and close to the Guglie vaporetto stop. Owned and run by Orthodox Jews from New York, it serves lunch and dinner Sunday through Friday.
Made famous by Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, the Venice Ghetto is now a pleasant neighborhood where Venice's small Jewish community still lives. It is also home of a Jewish museum, the Museo Communità Ebraica.
The Jewish Museum of Venice is situated in the Campo of the Ghetto Novo, between the two most ancient Venetian synagogues. It is a little but very rich museum founded in 1953 by the Jewish Community of Venice.
The precious objects shown to public, important examples of goldsmith and textile manufacture made between the 16th and the 19th centuries are a lively witnessing of the Jewish tradition.
Enter one or more emails (separate w/ commas) and your information. Then press Send.
