The Venice Ghetto and Three Synagogues

Established in 1516, Venice’s Jewish Ghetto is the oldest Jewish ghetto in the world and one of the city’s most fascinating and atmospheric districts. Located in the northern part of Cannaregio, it is a place where centuries of history are still very much present in the architecture, narrow streets and quiet squares. During our walk, I will introduce you to the history and traditions of the Venetian Jewish community and show you some of the most significant places in the Ghetto. We will also visit three of its historic synagogues: the German, French and Italian synagogues, each with its own distinctive character and history. Beyond the monuments, the tour offers a chance to discover a lesser-known side of Venice and to understand how a Jewish community developed and lived within the unique urban fabric of the Venetian Republic.

We start from where the gate to the Ghetto used to be. Once we cross the bridge over the Rio della Misericordia, we are in Campo del Gheto Novo, the area where Jews were first confined in 1516. After exploring the campo, with its singular buildings and Holocaust memorial, we will visit the interiors of three historic synagogues: the German, French and Italian synagogues, each offering a fascinating glimpse into the history and traditions of Venice’s Jewish community (ticket of €18 to buy there). We then continue to Gheto Vecio, the second area granted by the Most Serene Republic when the Jewish population increased. Today it is a lively area with shops, art galleries and bakeries selling traditional Jewish cakes. The tour ends at the other entrance to the Ghetto, where the marks of the former gates are still visible in the stone.