Entrance to the New Jewish Ghetto, Venice

Historically, the Jewish Ghetto of Venice has been split into two neighboring zones: the New Ghetto and the Old Ghetto. And yes—these names are misleading. Despite what logic might suggest, the New Ghetto came first. The labels have nothing to do with Jewish settlement dates and everything to do with industrial history: they refer to former foundries that once occupied the land. Venice, as ever, enjoys keeping you on your toes...

To reinforce separation from the rest of the city, the ghetto was linked to Venice by just two bridges. During the day, they were open. At night, they were shut and guarded, turning the neighborhood into a carefully monitored island after dark. The surrounding canals—neat, orderly, and entirely intentional—made surveillance simple and escape inconvenient. This was segregation by design, executed with typical Venetian efficiency.

You’re now standing at what was once the main entrance to the New Jewish Ghetto. In the past, crossing this threshold meant entering a world that was tightly controlled but far from lifeless. Behind these boundaries, daily life unfolded vertically, socially, and culturally, even as the gates reminded residents exactly where the city allowed them to belong.