GHETTO

Divided into Ghetto Vecchio and Ghetto Nuovo, this area northeast of Cannaregio is infamous for having been the origin of the word "ghetto", which derives from the name of the area where the Jews of Venice were forced to live. Venice's attitude towards the Jews has always been ambiguous. In the early ^16th century, anti-Semitism was in full swing in the region, and Jews from Treviso, Padua and Verona fled en masse to Venice. Dominican preachers took advantage of the situation to call for the definitive expulsion of the entire Jewish population of Venice, but the Serenissima, aware of the importance of this community to the Republic's economy, chose an alternative solution: it authorized the Jews to settle permanently, as pawnbrokers, thrift shops and doctors, in an assigned, closed zone. In 1516, a decree instituted the first ghetto in history. A small island in Cannaregio, the island of Geto Nuovo, was chosen. The word " geto " in Venetian meant the place where slag from nearby foundries was dumped. The island, partly abandoned, was sold to a wealthy family, the Da Brolo, who had a courtyard of 25 houses built, supplied by three wells (still in existence). This area became known as Ghetto Nuovo.

The inhabitants of the Jewish ghetto were subject to very strict rules. At dusk, they were locked in their quarters and watched over by guards (paid by the Jewish community) who forbade them any contact with the outside world. Although controlled, Jewish commercial activity flourished. The Ghetto Vecchio attractedthe whole city for the excellence of its markets and stores. Cultural activity was also intense, as the ghetto boasted several synagogues, a center for rabbinical studies, a theater, a music conservatory and literary salons. By the early ^17th century, the ghetto's Jews numbered over 5,000. In the ^18th century, the Venetians became increasingly tolerant: distinguishing marks were abandoned and people came to consult the ghetto's doctors. In 1797, Napoleon decided to abolish the ghetto. However, the Austrians re-established it, and it was not definitively abolished until 1866.

Today, Jewish families are scattered all over the city, but the Cannaregio district is still home to kosher stores, Jewish bookshops, the Museum of Jewish Art and two beautiful synagogues open to visitors.