I need some advice concerning my visit to the Jewish section (ghetto) of Venice. I am only going to be in Venice 2 full days which is a short time plus it unfortunately falls on Friday and Saturday leaving Sunday morning. That complicates things if you understand about Saturday for us Jews. I definitely want to see the ghetto—the museum, a few synagogues, and maybe a deli/bakery. I would be able to go on Saturday, but I assume the museum and stores are closed. Is the museum worth it? Maybe I could just go to a service Saturday morning to see the inside. Which synagogue is the best? What are the iconic places to see? Should i try to get on a tour on Friday when I arrive? I see they are open till 3:30. My goal is to get an appreciation of the Jewish experience past and present in the ghetto, even in this short time frame. Thanks for helping.
Posted by
Green Bay
21274 posts
Definitely try to get to the museum on Friday and make a connection.
I met some of the docents/visiting scholars a couple of years ago. Funny, but it was at Cannaregio bar where we convinced the owner to stay open until 5 am because we were watching the Super Bowl. Any way, seems they come over for a year's stint to work at the museum and synagogues.
Posted by
102 posts
Contact Roberta Curiel at Walks Inside Venice. https://www.walksinsidevenice.com/who-we-are.php
Roberta has literally written the book on the Venetian Ghetto. She will be able to set you up with a tour to make the most of your brief time.
Posted by
New Orleans
1225 posts
The Jewish Museum in the ghetto runs a nice tour of 3 or 4 beautiful, historic synagogues, all within a few hundred feet of each other. I've taken the tour (in English) twice, and it is very well done. If you don't want to pay someone for a private tour of the neighborhood, this tour of the synagogues is great. You are correct, also, that the Museum (and the synagogue tour) will be closed on Saturday. They do also have an early Friday closing time (check on-line); Museum has a good website. Most of the businesses and restaurants in the ghetto will be closed from Friday evening through Saturday sundown, also. So, if you want to experience that neighborhood, the Museum (yes, I find that - although it is small - it is worth it), and the synagogues, you will want to go there earlier in the day on Friday. I don't know if visitors are particularly welcome at Sabbath services in the various synagogues. The folks at the Museum would know, though. Oh: and although it's not "high cuisine" I enjoy eating at Gam Gam restaurant, at the edge of the ghetto... sort of Israeli/Italian/kosher fusion!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
If I remember correctly from taking the tour last year, only one synagogue (or two?) holds regular Sabbath services. (They were switching locations for Yom Kippur.) See www.jewishvenice.org and http://www.jewisheurope.org/detail.asp?ID=78 for a start.