Venice is hoping to restore parts of its historic Ghetto to coincide with the 500th anniversary of its establishment.
The non-profit organisation Venetian Heritage Council, headed by fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, is asking fashion and show business celebrities to donate millions to the work.
The focus will be on restoring two synagogues and the Jewish museum, the Museo Ebrico.
Venice’s Jews were ordered by the Venetian republic rulers (doges) to relocate to the Ghetto on 29 March 1516, a small area of narrow alleyways and tall medieval houses surrounding two public squares.
The area within the Cannaregio district was surrounded by canals and enclosed by walls. Guards locked the gates from midnight to dawn.
It was called “gheto” in Venetian dialect after a foundry where canons were cast. The name was to become synonymous with places in which Jews were obliged to live.
Of the Ghetto’s five synagogues, two remain and three have been converted into the museum.
In poor repair, they all need urgent attention.
In the 16th century, the five served Jews from different lands, Spain and Portugal as well as Germany, Middle East and Italy.
So far €2 million out of the goal of €8 million has come in. Donors include Barbra Streisand and fashion designer Donna Karan. Other contributors have chosen to remain anonymous.
