Synagogue & Jewish Museum of Venice

In Campo di Ghetto Nuovo in Venice’s Cannaregio district, the Jewish Museum traces the history and traditions of the city’s Jewish community. Its compact collection includes silver Hanukkah lamps, Torahs, manuscripts, wedding contracts, textiles and objects used for Jewish holidays. A guided tour adds context and takes visitors into historic synagogues, including two with Sephardic heritage. The museum is a useful starting point for exploring the ghetto’s history; check ahead for renovation-related changes to access.

The museum and its collection

The Jewish Museum sits between historic synagogues in the Ghetto Nuovo, in Cannaregio. Established by Venice’s Jewish community, it focuses on the community’s history and traditions. The museum’s displays are arranged in two areas: one covers Jewish holidays, while the other presents the community’s presence in Venice through objects and images.

Look for silver ritual objects, including Hanukkah lamps, as well as Torahs, books and manuscripts. The collection also includes textiles and work connected to Jewish goldsmiths. Handwritten wedding contracts decorated in Hebrew offer another glimpse into the community’s traditions. The museum is small, so its exhibits can be visited as part of a wider walk through the ghetto.

The Ghetto Nuovo and its synagogues

The museum’s setting helps place its collections in context. The Ghetto Nuovo is part of Cannaregio, an area where Jewish life in Venice developed over centuries. The museum presents more than 500 years of local history, including the lives and customs of the community.

Guided visits from the museum include synagogues in the ghetto. Some are easy to overlook from the street: their interiors reveal detailed decoration and architecture. Tours in Italian and English are listed as departing hourly on the half hour, and admission includes entry to two synagogues. Check current access before visiting, as renovation work may affect particular buildings.