Venice Jewish Ghetto (Ghetto di Venezia)
Venice Jewish Ghetto (Ghetto di Venezia)
Venice Jewish Ghetto (Ghetto di Venezia)

Venice Jewish Ghetto (Ghetto di Venezia) Tours and Tickets

884 reviews

Venice’s former Jewish Ghetto (Ghetto di Venezia) is one of the most fascinating and poignant corners of the Floating City. The oldest Jewish ghetto in Italy is home to a number of 16th-century synagogues, the Jewish Museum, a small Holocaust memorial, and kosher restaurants and bakeries.

  • Campo del Ghetto Nuovo, Venice, Veneto, 30121

Tours and Tickets to Experience Venice Jewish Ghetto (Ghetto di Venezia)

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What are people saying about Venice Jewish Ghetto (Ghetto di Venezia)

Jane_J, Oct 2023
Christina our guide was...
Christina our guide was amazingly knowledgeable and easy to understand. I would highly recommend this tour especially if they could have her as their guide
Chad_T, Oct 2023
Brilliant
Outstanding. Vanessa was brilliant with a high degree of knowledge and faultless English. Food was yummy and plenty of it. Don't come with a full stomach!
Noah_B, Oct 2023
Fascinating, moving, & one-of-a-kind tour
The best tour we had in all of Italy. This is such an important subject & very moving. Lucia is passionate, knowledgeable & warm. She kept us engaged & she is a wonderful story teller. We especially enjoyed walking through and visiting the kosher restaurants & art galleries. I recommend this highly to everyone. It was so nice to have a tour that is not typical.
Karl_S, Oct 2023
Fun Tour, Good Food!
Fun Tour, great job by tour Guide! Good way to see a Venice that you might not have considered. Food was very good too!
Frequently Asked Questions
People Also Ask
Q:What is the historical significance of the Venice Jewish Ghetto?
A:Before the 16th century, Jews were not allowed to reside in Venice and had to wear identifying yellow caps or stars. The Ghetto Nuovo (New Ghetto) was established as a Jewish residential district. Even with restrictions, the ghetto became a thriving hub of Jewish cultural and intellectual life for centuries.
Q:What is there to see or do in the Venice Jewish Ghetto?
A:Venice’s off-the-beaten-track Cannaregio district is made for wandering. The ghetto’s tall, colorful residential buildings are particularly notable—with limited space to build housing, people built upward. You also can see artifacts in the Jewish Museum of Venice or visit one of the historic synagogues, which are only open by guided tour.
Q:Can tourists sample traditional kosher cuisine in the Venice Jewish Ghetto?
A:Yes. The ghetto was home to Jews from all over Europe and beyond, leading to a melting pot of food traditions. Some Jewish-influenced Venetian dishes include sardines in saor—fried sardines—and rice fried in goose fat. The ghetto also is a great place to pick up Jewish sweets and pastries in its kosher bakeries.
Q:Is the Venice Jewish Ghetto really where the word “ghetto” comes from?
A:Yes—at least, that’s what most scholars think. The word ghèto in Italian refers to a foundry, and the Venice Jewish Ghetto was located on a former iron foundry. The area was overcrowded and dilapidated, so the word “ghetto” started to carry unsavory connotations.
Q:How can I learn more about the Venice Jewish Ghetto’s history?
A:Tours of the Venice Jewish Ghetto are typically offered Sunday through Friday. A few key historic sites, including the Spanish, Italian, and Levantine synagogues, are not open for tours. Some private tour providers include the ghetto in their itineraries, and audio guides can be purchased if you prefer self-guided options.
Q:What guidelines should be followed when visiting synagogues in the Venice Jewish Ghetto?
A:These synagogues are religious sites, so you’ll want to follow local customs. Make sure your shoulders and knees are covered; bring a loose shawl, if necessary. Typically, no photography or videography is allowed, and conversation should be kept to a minimum. The synagogues are only open at specific times.