The history of Venice's Ghetto
In recent centuries, the Jewish community has
experienced both triumphant and tragic events. The word "Ghetto"
itself originated in this city. The Venetian word “Gèto” means "foundry"
and referred to the island known as Ghetto Nuovo, as the majority of the
Venetian foundries were concentrated there. The island became
"Ghetto", as many Jews were of German origin and pronounced the word
with a guttural "g".
The Jews first arrived in Venice in the year one
thousand. However it was only in 1300 that the community became a stable
settlement and was able to live in every area of the city. This all changed in
1500: after the War of the League of Cambrai, the arrival in Venice of many
Jews from the mainland left the main population of Christians very preoccupied.
The Senate decided not to deport them: the Jews were essential for the economy
as they were the only "bankers" on the island and they were, therefore,
confined to the island of Ghetto Nuovo.
Thus, they began to shape a new Ghetto in Venice
with tall, warm-coloured, inviting buildings and five synagogues were built,
one for each group of origin. In the modern era, different forms of persecution
ended with the arrival of Napoleon, who eliminated some of the restrictions on
life in the Ghetto.