Field of the New Ghetto

The Campo del Ghetto Nuovo, located in the Cannaregio district of Venice, is one of the most significant places in the city, rich in history and cultural significance. This campo is not only an important testimony of Venice’s Jewish past, but also a symbol of tolerance, resilience, and integration. The history of the Venice Ghetto began in 1516, when the Venetian Senate decreed that all Jews had to reside in a specific area of the city, an island separated from the rest of Venice and closed off by gates at night. This place was called the “Ghetto,” a term derived from the Venetian word “geto,” referring to the copper foundries that were located in this area. The Venice Ghetto was the first Jewish ghetto in history, and the term “ghetto” was later used to describe similar areas in other European cities. The Campo del Ghetto Nuovo represents the heart of this area. Unlike other Venetian campos, the Ghetto Nuovo has a unique layout, with tall and narrow buildings overlooking the campo. This architectural style is a result of the high population density: as the Jewish population increased, it was necessary to build taller buildings to accommodate the newcomers. These buildings, which can reach up to eight stories, are a distinctive feature of the Ghetto and testify to the ingenuity and adaptability of the Jewish community. Life in the Ghetto was regulated by numerous restrictions, but despite the difficulties, the Venice Ghetto became a vibrant center of Jewish culture. The community developed its own economy, with artisans, merchants, and moneylenders working both inside and outside the Ghetto. Jewish culture flourished through book production, education, and religious life. The Ghetto housed five synagogues, each representing the different Jewish communities in Venice: the Scuola Grande Tedesca, the Scuola Canton, the Scuola Italiana, the Scuola Levantina, and the Scuola Spagnola. These synagogues can still be visited today and represent important testimonies of Jewish religious and cultural history in Venice. One of the most fascinating aspects of the Campo del Ghetto Nuovo is its resilience. Despite the difficulties and discriminations, the Jewish community managed to keep its traditions alive and significantly contribute to the cultural and economic life of Venice. This resilience is also visible in the monuments and commemorative plaques in the campo, which recall the deportations of Venetian Jews during the Second World War. A particularly moving monument is dedicated to the Jews deported to Nazi extermination camps, created by the sculptor Arbit Blatas. The Campo del Ghetto Nuovo is not only a place of memory, but also a vibrant and active center of the contemporary Jewish community. Today, the ghetto houses the Jewish Museum of Venice, which offers an overview of Jewish history, culture, and religion through permanent and temporary exhibitions. The museum also organizes guided tours of the synagogues and other historical structures in the ghetto, providing an important educational opportunity for visitors. Cultural life in the Ghetto Nuovo continues to be vibrant thanks to events, exhibitions, and conferences that celebrate the rich Jewish heritage. The Jewish community of Venice, although smaller in numbers than in the past, keeps its traditions alive and continues to contribute to the city’s cultural diversity. The Ghetto Nuovo thus represents a symbol of tolerance and coexistence. Venice, with its history as a mercantile republic and a crossroads of cultures, has managed to integrate the Jewish community, enriching the city with its culture and traditions. This model of integration is more relevant than ever today, in an era where the challenges of inclusion and diversity are central in many societies.