Jewish Heritage Tour
Explore the History of the Venetian Ghetto
DURATION: UP TO 3-HOURS
The first time the word "ghetto" was associated with the segregation of a minority population was in 1516, when the Venetian government decided to legally force Jews in the city to move to a small island at the extreme Northwestern part of Venice, in the Cannaregio district. That island was called Ghetto Nuovo, or "new metal foundry."
On a private walking tour with a knowledgeable English-speaking guide, you will start with a short visit to St Mark's Square, where all thr main political decisions about the Jews and the other foreign communities were taken. Here, in front of the Doges' Palace, you will sketch out the attitude of the Venetian government towards the Papacy on one side and towards the Jews on the other.
You will then proceed to the Rialto market area, which was, for centuries, a world-wide important seat of banking and mercantile transactions. Here, symbolically on the very tracks of Shylock, you'll see the history of the Jews of Venice within the wider economic history of Europe.
After crossing the Grand Canal on a "traghetto" (i.e. a gondola ferry) you will visit the three areas of the Ghetto (Ghetto Nuovo, Ghetto Vecchio and Ghetto Novissimo), retracing the history of the Jewish Community of Venice up to our days. If there is time, you can also have a look at the small but well arranged Jewish Museum located there.
At the conclusion of the tour, you may choose to join one of the group tours departing every hour from the Jewish Museum that includes a visit to three out of the five synagogues.
Before leaving our guide will provide you with all necessary instructions about how to go back to central Venice on foot or by boat.
This 3-hour tour includes:
- St. Mark's Square
- Rialto Market and Bridge
- Jewish Ghetto
Pick-up/Drop-off: Our guide will pick you up from your Venice City-Centre Hotel. The tour will conclude at a point within the city-centre, where your guide will provide you with instructions for returning to central Venice.
Includes: Private, expert English-speaking guide for up to 3-hours.
Excludes: Guide Gratuity, Extra Hours, Gondola Shuttle Fee, Entrance Fee to Synagogues.
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