Venice Ghetto turns 500

In the Cannaregio sesteri (district) of Venice, Italy, the Jewish Ghetto will celebrate its 500th anniversary in 2016. (The current meaning of “ghetto” originated here.) The Ghetto and its five synagogues are under restoration. 

On March 29, the date the Ghetto was created in 1516, there will be an opening ceremony at the opera house Teatro La Fenice (San Marco 4387, Venice; phone +39 041 786677, www.teatrolafenice.it/site/index.php).

The exhibit “Venice, the Jews & Europe 1516-2016” will display artifacts and ephemera from mid-June to mid-November at the Doge’s Palace (San Marco 1; phone +39 041 5285028, http://palazzoducale.visitmuve.it/en). The palace is open daily 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m., April 1-Oct. 31, and 8:30-4:30, Nov. 1-March 31. Including entry to all Saint Mark’s Square museums, a ticket costs €18 (near $20) adult or €11 senior/student/child.

Visit the website of the Committee “500 years of Jewish Ghetto of Venice” (www.veniceghetto500.org).