The Jewish Area - Venice

The Cannaregio area of Venice is of great interest and well worth visiting as walking to this area will take you past Marco Polo's and Tintoretto's houses and lead to the Jewish Quarter. I spent two fascinating days here, soaking up the history, culture, the people, the religion, their food and the whole way of life. There are five synagogues and three are open to visitors through a tour organised by the Jewish Museum inside the Ghetto.

The Ghetto is the oldest in Europe having been instituted on the 29th March, 1516 by the Government of the Serenissima Repubblica. Jews were forced to live in this area and could not leave between sunset and dawn. the area was closed by gates which were guarded and although the gates no longer remain, the marks of the hinges are still visible. Jews were allowed to practice a few professions; doctors, money lenders, merchants and ragsellers. The Ghetto existed for two and a half centuries until Napoleon conquered Venice and opened and eliminated the gates in 1797.

The Holocaust Memorial is a salutory reminder of our past and a few moments spent visiting and sitting in silence to remember is a rewarding and uplifting time well spent in this very special area of Venice.

If you want to stay near to this area, a hotel of choice is the Ca' Dogaressa, which is 4 stars. The hotel is conveniently situated for spending a day in this area and for dining at Gam Gam a well respected Kosher restaurant which offers Israeli and Italian fare. Well worth a visit!