Private Two Hour Tour of the Venetian Jewish Quarter

When you picture Venice, you might think of domed basilicas, ornate buildings, and winding canals. But beyond its beauty lies a rich cultural history. This private walking tour explores the Jewish Quarter and its 500-year story. The Jewish Quarter is made up of three areas developed over 150 years. As you explore the old, new, and newest ghettos, your guide will explain how different Jewish communities—German, Italian, and Spanish—settled here and built synagogues for each group. Behind the modest exteriors, you’ll discover richly decorated interiors, including the lavish Baroque-style Spanish synagogue. Today, the area still has a strong Jewish presence, with the scent of freshly baked challah and cinnamon pastries from traditional bakeries. You’ll learn about the restrictions once placed on Jewish life, how they worsened under Mussolini and during the Second World War, and hear stories of brave Venetians when visiting bronze monuments dedicated to Holocaust victims.