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Jewish Museum of Venice

Jewish Museum of Venice: Our most recommended tours and activities

Venice: Jewish Ghetto Walking Tour and Synagogue Tour Option

1. Venice: Jewish Ghetto Walking Tour and Synagogue Tour Option

Take a leisurely stroll in a small group to see landmarks to deepen your understanding of Venice's Jewish history. Choose to enhance your experience by joining the Synagogues tour organized by the Jewish Museum. Begin your Jewish Ghetto tour in the Cannaregio district, a fascinating residential area in the city's northern part. Walk past artisan workshops, galleries, shops, and delis, best explored at a relaxed pace. Next, cross the bridge into Campo del Ghetto Nuovo (New Ghetto Square), which was founded as a fortified island in 1516. Learn about the confinement of Venetian Jews to the island and how it became densely populated. Then, learn from your guide as they point out to one of the most significant highlights of the tour: a series of bas-reliefs in the Campo del Ghetto Nuovo – a sight that most visitors to Venice never see. Next, discover how Napoleon's decision to tear down the gates of the Jewish Ghetto gave Jews the right to live anywhere in Venice. Visit a hub of Jewish culture with bakeries, restaurants, and handicraft stores. Finally, in the second half of the tour, you can choose to include the Synagogues tour. Although the Museum itself is under restoration and closed for visits, you can still visit the Levantine Synagogue and the Spanish Synagogues with their dedicated guides.

Venice: Cannaregio and the Jewish Ghetto Private Tour

2. Venice: Cannaregio and the Jewish Ghetto Private Tour

Enjoy a unique walk through the popular neighborhood of Cannaregio on the North-West side of Venice with a local guide. Visit the Jewish Ghetto and enjoy entry to the synagogue. Admire the picturesque canals of Cannaregio and hear the history behind each turn from your guide as you make your way to the Jewish Ghetto. Visit the monuments, palaces, and churches of one of the wealthiest areas of Venice: the famous Jewish Ghetto. Explore this area of Venice and learn all about Jewish heritage and history. “Ghetto” is a Venetian word meaning “foundry” because the Jewish quarter was built to replace a foundry. This name now means “Jewish District” all over the world. Here you can join a visit to the Jewish Synagogues with specialized guides.

Venice: Digital Audio Guide Tour of The Jewish Ghetto

3. Venice: Digital Audio Guide Tour of The Jewish Ghetto

Enhance your experience at the Venice Jewish Ghetto with this informative, web app-based audio guide. Your smartphone is all you need to experience the authentic atmosphere of this historical landmark. The digital experience starts in Campo del Ghetto Nuovo. The web app will guide you throughout the neighborhood, exploring centuries of history and works of art. The digital multi-media guide is immediately available on the browser of your smartphone, and it allows you to access the story of the Ghetto, its inhabitants and the immense cultural heritage contained within it.

Private Tour of the Jewish Ghetto in Venice

4. Private Tour of the Jewish Ghetto in Venice

The word ""ghetto"" was born in the Venetian Ghetto, so it is the best place to learn about the causes and consequences of segregating Jews from the Middle Ages to World War II in Europe. Join a passionate Private Guide on the streets of the Old and New Ghetto to learn about the local Jewish community and their traditions, and see the historic synagogues and heritage sites in Venice. Choose the 2-hour option to explore the Jewish Ghetto in the Cannaregio sestiere. Your walking tour will begin near the Ponte dei Tre Archi and pass by one of the three gates to the medieval ghetto of Venice. As you explore the narrow streets of Calle Ghetto Vecchio, you will discover the hidden symbols of the ghetto and learn how the local Jewish community managed to grow and thrive here despite adversities. Highlights include Scuola Levantina and several other old synagogues, and crossing the Ponte de Ghetto vecchio, one of the bridges that was closed every night to cut off the Old Ghetto. In Campo del Ghetto you can admire the Italian Synagogue, the Great German Scola, Banco Rosso, and the Venetian ""skyscrapers"" that were created as a result of the overcrowding of the ghetto. You will also the only remaining of the first three banks in the world, find out where the phrase ‘to be in the red’ comes from and why pawn shops were so important to Jews. Of course, you will also hear stories of the Jewish residents who were persecuted and murdered during World War II. Learn about the Holocaust in Italy and see the Stolpersteine (stumbling blocks) and the Deportation Monument. Other points of interest include the special wells and the Chabad of Venice. You will also have a chance to stop at a kosher bakery to try a local snack (at your own expense) and get tips on the best things to see and do in Venice.

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Other Sightseeing Options in Jewish Museum of Venice

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What people are saying about Jewish Museum of Venice

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 119 reviews

silvia‘s very detailled knowledge and anecdotes of jewish history and the role they plaied in venice and the footprint they left will leave you impressed and enriched. thanks a lot silvia for sharing your passion and time with us. all the best, andreas

The guide Sandra was very knowledgeable and responsive to questions from the group. It was a great all around. Great small group to walk around with.

Good information about the history of the Jewish people and Venice Great tour guide!

Fantastic 2 hr walking tour. Really informative and enjoyable. Thank you.

The guide was very knowledgeable and made the tour very interesting.