The Venice Ghetto - The oldest one in Europe
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Not everybody knows that the word "ghetto" derives from the old venetian word: geto and its meaning was: foundry.
In fact, the first Jewish settlements in Venice date back to 1492. The Serenessima government decided to place the Jewish people chased from Spain, Portugal and Germany near some foundries (geti).
This big ghetto is divided in three areas: Nuovo Ghetto; Vecchio Ghetto; Nuovissimo Ghetto.
To Jewish was forbidden to leave the ghetto from the night to the morning while Italian soldiers patroled the borders by boats. Not so many works was allowed for them but the most important one was to work as bankers. The loan with interest subsidy.
During the second world war more than 200 people was taken here from German soldiers and sent to die in the concentration camps. At the moment, no more than few families still live in the ghetto and the cultural life and the activities are very intense.
The Jewish museum, in the Ghetto Nuovo, is a reference point where is possible to ask info or rent a guided tour through the Ghetto and its Synagogues. Inside the museum is possible to visit many historical proofs of this old settlements that changed the life of one of the most beautiful cities of the world.