Jewish Museum in Venice

The Jewish Museum in Venice is more a complex than just a museum. A gateway to the well-known Jewish Ghetto in Venice, the museum is situated downstairs from a charming bookshop. You can find here three rooms exhibiting objects of goldsmith, jewellery, carpentry, textile and various belongings of the Jewish families that once inhabited the ghetto. What's most fascinating about visiting the Jewish Museum is taking advantage of the guided tours of the synagogues in Venice organized by the staff. From here, you'll take part in an educational and mystical tour of the ghetto, after learning about the history of the Jewish community.

The Jewish community in Venice dates back to the 14th Century. It grew significantly at the beginning of the 16th Century with the influx of Hebrew immigrants from Spain, where they were persecuted by the Inquisition. Many stories were told about the life of the Venetian Jews, some referring to their stereotypical features and the avarice of goldsmiths, others about their unfortunate lives and all the obstacles they had to overcome throughout history.

In the 19th Century, when Napoleon took over Venice, the doors of the ghetto were first opened, allowing its inhabitants to leave. At that time, many Jews left the ghetto to settle elsewhere – in or outside Venice. During World War II, all of the Ghetto's inhabitants were taken to concentration camps. After the end of the war, only 8 survivors returned to the Ghetto.

The most interesting fact today is that the former ghetto is still inhabited by Jews – about 500 people. There's a traditional kosher restaurant and small shops, so the authentic ambiance can still be felt when walking along the streets. Tours of the ghetto focus on its synagogues. The tour organized by the museum encompasses the three key synagogues out of an overall number of five. The guided visit will let you learn about the history of the synagogues, the three main 'branches' of the Jewish community in Venice, and the secrets of the ghetto...