Established in 1516, this was the first place in the world officially designated a "ghetto," a term that likely derives from the Venetian word for the foundry (geto) previously on the site. Jewish residents were required to live here and locked in at night, yet the community built five synagogues within the confined space, several still visible from the exterior by their distinctive window arrangements.
The Jewish Ghetto of Venice is in the Cannaregio district of Venice, Italy, around Campo del Ghetto Nuovo. In 1516 the Venetian Republic required the city's Jewish population to live in this walled area, which had been a foundry site. The word ghetto is often traced to the Venetian term for foundry. Because the area could not expand, buildings were built unusually tall, and the tall houses of the Ghetto Nuovo, with their low ceilings, still stand today. The community was made up of Ashkenazi, Levantine, Sephardic and Italian groups, and each built its own synagogue, usually on the upper floors of ordinary buildings so that they are hidden from outside. The Museo Ebraico di Venezia in Campo del Ghetto Nuovo displays ritual objects, textiles, manuscripts and documents from the community. Guided tours in English leave several times a day from the museum, take about 50 minutes and visit three or more synagogues, including the German, Canton and Italian synagogues, all still in use. Visitors typically spend about an hour and a half, including a walk through the Ghetto Vecchio and Ghetto Nuovo, with their kosher bakeries and small shops. A memorial to the deportation of Venetian Jews in the Second World War stands in Campo del Ghetto Nuovo and is moving to see. The museum and tours are open Sunday to Friday and are closed on Saturday and Jewish holidays. Adult admission for the museum and synagogue tour is around €12. The area is quieter than central Venice and is easy to reach on foot from the Guglie vaporetto stop or the Santa Lucia railway station. Security checks may apply at the museum.
| Admission | Adult €12 (~$13) museum + synagogue tour · Child €8 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Museum: Sun-Fri 10AM-7PM (winter closes 5:30PM) |
| Typical visit | 1.5 hours |
| Best time | Weekday mornings |
| Getting there | Vaporetto Line 1 to Guglie or walk from train station (15 min) |
| Address | Campo del Ghetto Nuovo, 30121 Venezia |
Location
Campo del Ghetto Nuovo, 30121 Venezia
45.4453, 12.3271 View on map
Highlights
- Guided tour of historic synagogues
- Museo Ebraico's ritual objects and textiles
- Tall houses of the Ghetto Nuovo, built up because space was limited
- Memorial to Venetian Jews deported in the Second World War
- Kosher bakeries and shops in the Ghetto Vecchio
Tips for visiting
- The museum and tours are closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.
- Join the guided synagogue tour, as the synagogues are otherwise not accessible.
- Bring ID, as security checks can apply.
- The area is quiet, so it pairs well with a walk along Cannaregio's canals.
- Dress respectfully when visiting the synagogues.
When to visit
Mornings and weekdays are quieter. The area is less crowded than San Marco all year.
Accessibility
The Ghetto campo is flat, but the synagogues are on upper floors and some routes have stairs. Visitors with reduced mobility should ask the museum about an adapted tour.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
About an hour and a half, including the museum, a guided tour and a walk through the streets.
Can visitors enter the synagogues?
Yes, on the guided tour from the museum, which visits several synagogues that are still in use.
Is it open on Saturdays?
No. It is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.
Is photography allowed?
Photography is generally not allowed inside the synagogues, but it is fine outdoors.
Tours and tickets
Jewish Ghetto of Venice
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