Getto/Museo Ebraico (Ghetto/Hebrew Museum)
The Ghetto, a getto (foundry) until the 14th century, was the area where Jews were confined. Valued for their medical skills and ability to pay taxes, Jews were allowed out by day, but were locked onto their island at night. Two water gates were erected between Venice and the Jewish Ghetto (all subsequent Jewish neighborhoods derive their name from Venice's islet), and the locked doors were guarded by Christian soldiers. After Napoleon's sack of Venice in 1797, he pulled down the doors and allowed Jews free access to the city.One of the old synagogues, the Scola Grande Tedesca (1528), is now the Museo Ebraico, which houses a collection of artifacts from the 17th to 19th centuries. Tours leave from the museum into the ghetto and to three historic synagogues.
Address:
Campo del Ghetto Nuovo, Cannaregio
Venice
Italy
Telephone: +39 (41) 71-53-59