Ghetto of Venice. Ediz. illustrata

The Ghetto of Venice was the first of an infinite number throughout the world to be called by this name, which sadly became famous as a symbol of alienation, separation, segregation and discrimination.It was 29 March 1516: “The Jews must all live together in the Corte de Case that are in the Ghetto at San Girolamo; and so that they do not move around during the night […] let two doors be built which are to be opened each morning at the Marangona” (the bell of San Marco whose toll announced the start of work at the Arsenale) “and to be closed each night at 12pm by four Christian guards”. Some 700 Jews of German and Italian origin were confined to this unhealthy area in the sestiere, or quarter (the city is divided into six sestieri) of Cannaregio: near this area, people who had been executed were buried, and behind it was a muddy island.